KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu is under increasing pressure due to a decline in support and confidence from its own members, analysts say.
This follows several Members of Parliament (MPs) pledging allegiance to the government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan told the New Straits Times that it was an intense political situation now for Bersatu's leadership, noting that their members were no longer loyal.
"Their narrative of growing numbers contradicts the current reality, where members are siding with the unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The party is also in a difficult position because sacking the four supporting MPs would result in losing those parliamentary seats," he said.
Azmi said the allocation issue was not the primary reason for the MPs' decision; rather, it served as a camouflage for their intention to support the current government while remaining in the party.
"I think it is very far-fetched to use that issue as the reason for doing so. They are basically using this as a camouflage that they want to quit the party but cannot directly do it as anti-hopping law already exists.
"So the best way that they can do this is by pledging their support toward the current government.
"The allocation as a justification I think is a good one on behalf of the four MPs. Not that they betrayed the party, just that they remain in the party as they say, but they are supporting the Prime Minister," he added.
Anticipating more MPs to follow suit, Azmi said others were awaiting the appropriate moment to change their support after weighing public opinion on the subject.
"So I guess there will be more following in the footsteps of the four MPs. The others are just waiting for the reaction of the party itself, the constituency and, more importantly, the reaction from the whole nation regarding their excuse.
"So this is the pressure the MPs have to face and deal with the matter. But if the reaction is negative, it will not trigger other members of Parliament to take the same steps.
"(But) the others are just waiting for the right time and the right location to throw their support to the Prime Minister," he said.
Meanwhile, political analyst Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir characterised the move by the four MPs as a manifestation of frustration with Bersatu's leadership.
"What is happening right now is a loss of confidence towards the leadership of the party and the president itself.
"Their members no longer have confidence in what their party can do. Besides, Bersatu lacked dominance and power within the political alliance (PN)," he said.
Jeniri also credited Anwar's good governance and commitment to reforming the nation as influencing the MPs' decision.
"Anwar Ibrahim is putting the country on the right track, and he is trying his best with full political commitment to reform the nation as what he has promised in the manifesto.
"He has vast experience in politics, he was a former finance minister, a very experienced and seasoned politician highly committed to trying to reform.
"Despite whatever they (the opposition) try to tarnish Anwar by demonising him in the unity government, it does not resonate well with the people because he seems sincere in what he is doing, especially in building the country."
