Political rivalry could be why Bersatu skipped cross-party meeting, say analysts

2026-03-06 - 08:43

Umno chaired a meeting yesterday attended by representatives from parties including PAS, Amanah, PKR and Gagasan Rakyat to discuss issues concerning Islam and the Bumiputera. (Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki pic) PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s lack of response to an invitation to a meeting of Islamic, Malay and Bumiputera parties organised by Umno is believed to be linked to political rivalry, say analysts. Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia said Bersatu may not want to appear to be compromising with Umno, particularly on Malay political leadership. “Their attendance would be seen as acknowledging that Umno is leading the effort, while Bersatu wants to replace it as the main party representing Malays. “PAS is different because it is more focused on its Islamic agenda than on competing to be a leader in Malay politics,” she told FMT. Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Bersatu had not responded to Umno’s invitation to a cross-party meeting to discuss issues concerning Islam, the Malay community and the Bumiputera. Umno, PAS, PKR and Amanah were among eight parties that attended the “historic” meeting at Umno’s headquarters at Menara Dato Onn yesterday, initiated by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Syaza said Bersatu’s absence also sent a message that Umno had yet to unite all Malay and Islamic parties under a single platform. “It is not necessarily sabotage, but it at least limits Umno’s ability to claim success in bringing all parties under one roof,” she said. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting also said the absence highlighted Bersatu’s political stance towards the initiative. “In politics, attendance is a sign of loyalty, while absence conveys rejection. This ‘large roof’, promised as a symbol of unity, now appears to have leaks before rain has even fallen,” he said. Zaharuddin said the public wants to see genuine commitment from political parties to cooperate, not just rhetoric about unity.