KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is doomed, predicted its former chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the party's collapse is a likelihood after its current leadership resorted to working with political parties rejected by the people in the 14th general election by forming the present federal government.
Dr Mahathir said this in his latest posting on his blog //chedet.cc/ today.
In his trademark cynical fashion, the Langkawi Member of Parliament alleges that certain Bersatu leaders were willing to work with individuals accused of stealing billions or ringgit of government funds.
"Among them are Bersatu leaders and members who supposedly joined the party to topple a prime minister which had stolen billions of ringgit.
"They subsequently cooperated with the then opposition parties (during the previous Barisan Nasional administration) which had the same agenda.
"The rakyat eventually awarded them victory (in the 14th general election - GE14) after believing the sincerity of the promises made by the parties and their leaders.
"After winning (the election), the Bersatu president devised a plan which would see the losing political parties exit the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which resulted in the collapse of the (former PH) federal administration," said the former premier.
Dr Mahathir was among five Bersatu members whose party membership ceased after they joined forces with now opposition-based parties comprising the PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara. The others are Members of Parliament Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam); Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar); Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu) and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun).
The former premier also questioned whether the present Bersatu leadership could accept the presence of leaders whom he alleges are 'thieves' in the current government administration.
"Okaylah' – As long as they received 'nikmat' (benefit).
"What had happened to your pledge of fighting against and ousting kleptocratic leaders?
"Perhaps that was only a pledge to get support from voters (for GE14). After obtaining the support, you just simply forget about it (pledge to fight kleptocratic leaders)," he said.
Dr Mahathir said the problem with Bersatu is that the leaders will become complacent once they receive gains by entering a political cooperation.
"What will happen to the fight to save the Malays from kleptocratic leaders?
"And are (the gains) worth it that you will lose the trust of the people in the future? That is the future.
"This is the attitude among some leaders and members in Bersatu," he added.