JOHOR BARU:The upcoming Mahkota state by-election could mark the end of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) as a significant player in Malaysian politics, according to Pulai Umno Division chief Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
He suggested that Bersatu's fate might mirror that of Umno splinter party Semangat 46, a party that dissolved after its decline.
Nur Jazlan pointed out that Bersatu faced consecutive defeats in several by-elections, including in the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat, and now appears poised to suffer another loss in the Mahkota by-election.
"Bersatu may be heading towards its final chapter.
"I believe that the upcoming Sept 28 Mahkota by-election could signal more than just another loss for the party, but the final nail in Bersatu's coffin.
"It would be the story of a party that began with grand ambitions but ends in disgrace," he wrote on Facebook today.
Nur Jazlan, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, went on to criticise Bersatu's leadership, accusing them of being self-serving and focused on power and wealth rather than serving the interests of the people and its members.
"This is the outcome of a party whose leaders prioritised personal gain over sacrifice for their members.
"How can they even expect to win the people's trust?" he questioned.
The Mahkota by-election in Kluang, is a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
BN's candidate Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah, 40, will face off PN's Mohammad Haizan Jaafar, 61, also known as Coach Haizan.
The by-election was triggered by the death of the previous assemblywoman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 64, on Aug 2.
In the 2022 state elections, Sharifah Azizah secured a commanding victory with a 5,166-vote majority in a four-way race that included candidates from Pakatan Harapan, PN, and Warisan.