KUALA LUMPUR: The sentiment of the 'rogue' Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) elected representatives and leaders could eventually trickle down to the party grassroots, experts believe.
Geostrategist Dr Azmi Hassan said it was set in motion by the six Bersatu members of parliament (MPs) when they expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, followed by Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, who announced his support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
"That's the general flow; first the Bersatu MPs then it goes down to the state level and to members holding party positions as they lose their confidence in the top leadership.
"Eventhough the number of Bersatu members who leave the party may not reach the thousands, I'm sure the sentiment will trickle down to the grassroots," he told the New Straits Times Times.
As former Bersatu supreme council member Dr Muhammad Faiz Na'aman put it, the shift would happen not only in Selangor, but also in other states where the grassroot leaders may quit the party to join a different one, said Azmi.
To avoid such a scenario, Bersatu needs to conduct a clean-up of its top leadership, with a new line-up that would instill confidence among members and put forward fresh ideas for the party, he said.
While many quarters have criticised the Bersatu politicians in question and said that their decision to shift their support created unnecessary confusion and drama, such tactics would ultimately benefit the people, he said.
"(Subsequently), this move is basically going to benefit the people.
"This is because, the government of the day is able to focus on taking care of the people and the nation if it is strong and stable," he said.
Political analyst Associate Professor Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) said while she agreed that Faiz's switch "might not be as monumental as he would think, the party should not dismiss it as well."
She said it was not the first time Bersatu leaders switched allegiance and Faiz's move in joining PKR has given the impression of Bersatu's fragility.
"I think that we can speak of a monolith Bersatu grassroots.
"I do believe that those who follow certain figures will probably switch parties if the leader does so," she said.
On news reports of more Selangor Bersatu leaders supporting the menteri besar after Rashid, Syaza said, it was an important state and the party held most of its seats there compared to other states.
"Selangor represents the urban Malay which is different from the Malay heartland where Pas holds firm.
"So, if it is rocky in Selangor, it doesn't look good for Bersatu's future," she said.
