KUALA LUMPUR: The power struggle between Pas and Bersatu within Perikatan Nasional is coming to a head following the coalition's move to take action against the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led party over the Negri Sembilan election.
Although political analysts said PN had grounds to initiate disciplinary action against Bersatu, the timing — coming on the heels of Bersatu's complaint to the Registry of Societies (RoS) — suggests it is a retaliation against the party.
They pointed to the interval between Bersatu's complaint to the RoS on Aug 11, about 10 days after the Negri Sembilan election concluded, and PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's announcement on Sunday that the coalition would initiate disciplinary action against the party.
Universiti Malaya senior political science lecturer Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said the timing suggested that the election dispute was being used to justify the action.
"The question is, why the action is only being initiated now when the election took place several months ago?
"This delay could give rise to the perception that the Negri Sembilan election issue is being used as an additional justification in the current political conflict."
However, he agreed that PN had the right to take action against any of its component parties found to have acted against the coalition's interests, as provided for in its constitution.
"Bersatu's decision to contest against PN candidates in eight seats in the Negri Sembilan election provides strong grounds for initiating disciplinary proceedings.
"In principle, a political coalition is formed to unite the strengths of its component parties, avoid clashes and improve their chances of winning.
"Bersatu's action can be regarded as contrary to the spirit of cooperation and political discipline."
Tawfik also said the grounds for disciplinary action would be stronger if PN could prove that Bersatu had breached the official seat allocation decision or contested without the necessary consent.
"PN must ensure that any action taken is fair, consistent and proportionate to the offence.
"If suspension or expulsion is carried out without a comprehensive political resolution, PN risks losing strength and the support of Bersatu supporters, thereby weakening its position as an opposition bloc ahead of the 16th General Election," he said.
International Islamic University Malaysia political science Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri agreed that the timing of PN's move was seen an immediate response to Bersatu's complaint to the RoS.
She said Bersatu's decision to contest against PN candidates in the Negri Sembilan election provided a strong basis for disciplinary action.
"However, the question is, why now and not earlier?"
Syaza said PN appeared to be seeking grounds to expel Bersatu from the coalition.
The High Court on Oct 22 granted PN's application to stay its suspension and deregistration by RoS.
The following day, the government filed an appeal against the High Court's decision.
On Sunday, the PN supreme council held an emergency meeting to discuss several matters, with the main agenda being the move by RoS to deregister the coalition and the upcoming Melaka election.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali warned that the meeting could carry "serious legal implications" as the coalition's registration had been cancelled.
He had said all parties should preserve the status quo of the RoS decision until all court proceedings had been exhausted.
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