PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin’s Parti Wawasan Negara has blamed Bersatu for Perikatan Nasional’s dismal performance in the Johor state election, where the coalition was wiped out.
Johor Wawasan chief Zulkifli Bujang claimed that the decline in PN support could not be separated from the prolonged internal turmoil in Bersatu, which led to Hamzah’s dismissal from the party.
“Leadership conflicts, internal divisions, and failure to resolve various organisational issues not only weakened Bersatu as a component but even dragged all of PN down.
“Malaysians want a stable, organised coalition that offers convincing leadership. Instead, what Bersatu has put forward is prolonged bickering and failure to manage differences maturely,” he said in a statement.
Zukifli, who was among the division leaders sacked during Bersatu’s purge of Hamzah-linked leaders, said Bersatu leaders and grassroots tried to voice their concerns over the party’s issues since 2024, but these went ignored.
The Wawasan central leadership member said Johor PN must self-reflect following the election results and carry out real change to regain the support of Johoreans.
“Johor Wawasan believes we need to be led by a lineup of leaders who are more humble and open to receiving the views of others, and more prepared to build consensus for the sake of the people,” he said.
PN fielded 33 candidates in the Johor polls, comprising 16 from Bersatu, 11 from PAS, five from the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, and one from Pejuang. All of them lost their contests while 21 lost their deposits.
Wawasan, which was admitted as a PN component with Pejuang last month, opted not to contest in the election.
PAS ended its political cooperation with Bersatu early last month. Both parties still contested under the PN banner, but PAS decided not to help Bersatu with its campaign.
