Bersatu’s decision to contest against PN shows party no longer wants alliance, says Ronald Kiandee
PETALING JAYA: The decision by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to field candidates against Perikatan Nasional (PN) contenders in eight state seats during the Negeri Sembilan State Election (PRN) indicates that the party no longer intends to remain within the coalition, said former Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.
Ronald said the move provides strong grounds for the PN Supreme Council to consider removing Bersatu from the coalition.
He said Bersatu’s decision to contest against PN candidates reflected the party’s current position and raised questions over its commitment to the alliance.
“Bersatu’s decision to place candidates against Perikatan Nasional candidates in eight DUN seats in the Negeri Sembilan election clearly shows that the party no longer wishes to be part of PN,” he said in a statement.
He added that the PN Supreme Council now has sufficient justification to take action regarding Bersatu’s position within the coalition.
The statement by the Beluran Member of Parliament followed Bersatu’s move to contest several seats that are also being contested by PN candidates in the Negeri Sembilan election.
Previously, Election Commission (SPR) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced that a total of 103 candidates representing various political parties and independent contenders had been confirmed to participate in the Negeri Sembilan state election.
According to him, Pakatan Harapan (PH) recorded the highest number of candidates with 36, followed by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 25 candidates and Bersatu with 24 candidates.
Meanwhile, PN is fielding 11 candidates in the election, while four independent candidates are also contesting.
Other parties taking part include Barisan Jamaah Islamiah Semalaysia (Berjasa), Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), with each party fielding one candidate.
The development adds a new dimension to the Negeri Sembilan election, as clashes between Bersatu and PN candidates could affect the opposition coalition’s strategy and voter dynamics in several contested constituencies.
