PETALING JAYA: Bersatu is now the only true opposition party left in Parliament, claims its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
This follows the electoral cooperation between Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state polls.
"Pakatan Harapan is the government at the federal level and in some states. Barisan is also the government at the federal level and in a few states.
"When Perikatan entered into a political cooperation with Barisan, Perikatan indirectly became a party that supports the ruling party," Muhyiddin said in a statement.
As such, there is now a "huge gap" in the Malaysian political landscape with a lack of parties acting not only as a check and balance against the government's policies but also as a voice for the people, he added.
Muhyiddin explained that Bersatu was initially established to combat the kleptocracy linked to the 1MDB financial controversy.
Thus, he said the party must persist with its founding purpose, which is to fight for the people and to advance the country.
He also slammed Barisan for talking about "burying" Pakatan while becoming friendly with Perikatan, specifically PAS.
"Barisan and Pakatan cannot run even an inch away from their collective responsibility in enacting policies that burdened the rakyat such as the rise in diesel and petrol prices, the failure in effectively handling the rising cost of living, the failure to implement institutional reforms and many other policies that have made things difficult for the rakyat and businesses," Muhyiddin said.
He also chastised Umno for trying to shift the blame for their shortcomings onto others while enjoying the benefits of being in government, only to later invoke the cause of Malay and Muslim unity to win the support of Malay voters.
"Believe me, this is nothing more than a charade intended to mislead the Malay community and the public in a bid to gain power.
"Bersatu is free from this charade. It remains steadfast in its commitment to its goals and principles of championing the people's interests and advancing the nation," said Muhyiddin.
