Thanks Azmin

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DEAR Azmin Ali, my old buddy,
I maybe can agree with your suggestion for Umno and Bersatu to sit down again and discuss the status of the 13 defectors' seats in run-up to the 15th general election, which I dunno when although many say it will happen when the emergency ends on August 1.
It is on the ground of the 'common government' among Umno, Bersatu, Pas and others that we should settle it amicably before the GE as to avoid clashes among the Perikatan Nasional 'friends'. Should that happens, it will give many advantages to the Opposition. Of course, we don't want this scenario to take place.
However, please understand that Umno's decision to cease cooperation with PN and Bersatu was made very loud and clear when almost all Members of Parliament (MPs) signed SDs to enable Muhyiddin Yassin become Prime Minister about a year ago. It was Umno's number that installed him as the No.1 and getting rid of Pakatan Harapan regime.
Bersatu or PPBM was part of PH then and the main force despite being the minority compared with DAP and PKR. It is still the same faces from PH who hold the key portfolios now. Have you forgotten how Bersatu teamed up with them to topple Umno-Barisan Nasional?
Again, maybe we may put that behind but we can't simply forgive and forget what the 13 ex-Umno MPs did to the party. And you yourself had the gut to leave Anwar Ibrahim by leap-frog from PKR to Bersatu to protect your personal interest. That's your political move, anyway.
During the Sabah state election last year, Umno gave its traditional seats for Bersatu to contest. The 'big-hearted' Umno President Zahid Hamidi agreed that Bersatu - as the first timer in Sabah election and dominated Putrajaya - must be given a chance to set a foot in the state. Forget about the chief minister post and the brouhaha surrounding it because that can be forgotten in a friendship bond.
Yet, one after another Bersatu doings have hurt Umno more. Your sincerity and honesty are at question. As a partner in PN, Umno was mistreated and excluded from many major meetings such as the Budget 2021 and the Emergency Proclamation. How could that happened?
When Mr PM needed sufficient votes to pass whatever bill at the Dewan Rakyat, Umno MPs came in full force to ensure that the PN government sure the razor-thin majority. But then, Umno was played out again and again.
You and Hamzah Zainuddin can deny the leaked info about Bersatu Supreme Council meeting earlier this month that there was a black ops to implicate Zahid and other Umno leaders of their court case in order to get rid of them in GE15, or even plans to bring more Umno people to court by using MACC and AGC. I could be wrong but that's the information I got from Bersatu people itself. When you still have friends in Umno, I got mine in Bersatu also.
Remember how did Bersatu and PKR were inaugurated. Both are from Umno.
When Bersatu was part of PH, there were continuous effort in pressing and threatening Zahid to dissolve Umno for its members to join Bersatu. Zahid remains adamant and defended his party well enough to Bersatu leaders' annoying gesture.
Bersatu is strong now. More MPs and state reps are crossing over to Bersatu. Name it, from PKR, Amanah and DAP, some of whom are on the MACC binocular. Maybe they will be spared from any action as the case of most 13 Umno MPs who left us after losing the GE14. And there goes Muhyiddin's words of maintaining a clean and corruption-free government.
Tell me, what's the motive. What about the suggestion that the PM had to accept them as to keep the majority running? And about the reports that they were offered tonnes of cash to do that?
Bro, that 13 seats or divisions are Umno strongholds. No way to hand it over to others. Would you easily give up Gombak and Pagoh to Umno in the next general elections? Can we reciprocate in this matter?
By the way, what happened to the 800 or 8,000 new Bersatu branches nationwide announced by Hamzah earlier? That already made a political giant of Bersatu. Why worry if you already posses strong grassroots? Furthermore, you have the money and machinery for GE15, and for that you don't need Umno, right?
Unless if Bersatu failed the rakyat since a year ago, then you have reasons to worry. Money wise, you are No.1 since you can afford to spend millions for support and crossovers. Umno is almost in a destitute situation since its money was confiscated by the government, that it will be depending much on the party loyalists now.
So, nothing's new.
After all the bashing and bad disposition, better for Umno and BN to go dutch. We might sit down after the general election, God willing. The doors are not slamed behind us. Political behavior is also important. As for Zahid, he is determine to see Umno rises to the occasion again. Come what may (even going to jail), Umno is here to stay.
Umno needs trustful partners, not the ones who take it for granted. And politics is also dynamic, it seems. We can choose anybody, anytime and at any situation. We learnt that well from Bersatu.
I wish to write more but this piece is sufficient to make you comprehend.
One more thing, once beaten twice shy!

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