KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – Several grassroots leaders from the Selangor branch of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) have reportedly expressed interest in defecting to the Democratic Action Party (DAP), citing irreconcilable friction within the opposition coalition’s top leadership.
Discontent Within the Ranks
The potential shift was revealed by Muhammad Najmi Samsudin, Chairman of the Wangsa Permai Kepong DAP branch. According to Najmi, several BERSATU officials approached him to discuss their membership after becoming disillusioned with the current state of their party, which they described as “chaotic” and “disorganized.”
The disgruntled leaders pointed toward ongoing power struggles at the federal level as the primary catalyst for their departure. Specifically, they highlighted the fractured relationships between Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, which they believe have paralyzed the party’s operations.
Strained Ties with PAS
Beyond internal bickering, the leaders expressed deep concern over BERSATU’s increasingly strained partnership with PAS within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) framework. They reportedly questioned the coalition’s ability to govern effectively if its two primary components remain at loggerheads.
“They are asking how the party can serve the people when the top brass is constantly at war with one another,” Najmi stated during a press briefing.
DAP’s Strategic Reception
Najmi, whose branch is known for having one of the highest Malay memberships within DAP, stated that the party is open to welcoming these leaders provided their intentions are sincere. He viewed this potential influx as a strategic advantage for DAP to bolster its Malay support base ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
“We are ready to facilitate their entry to strengthen the party’s position. We must stop the manipulation of racial sentiments for personal political gain and focus on unified governance,” Najmi added.
Conclusion
While the national leadership of BERSATU has yet to issue an official response to these reports, the move signals a growing rift at the state level. If these defections materialize, it could significantly alter the political landscape in Selangor and challenge Perikatan Nasional’s dominance in Malay-majority areas
