Perikatan’s ‘clean and stable’ tag under threat with Bersatu probe: academics

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KUALA LUMPUR – The ongoing graft investigation into Bersatu and the freezing of its accounts have thrown a spanner in the works of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) effort to showcase itself as a clean coalition, political analysts opined. 

However, they said the true extent of the impact of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe on PN’s reputation will only be known once the anti-graft body completes its investigation.

Speaking to The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister-portal Getaran, Universiti Malaya academician Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said this latest development involving Bersatu has somewhat tarnished PN’s name, with the outfit priding itself as “Bersih dan Stabil” (BEST), or clean and stable.

“If the MACC probe proves wrongdoing, it will surely affect public support ahead of the six state elections to be held this year,” he said.

“How far PN and Bersatu will be affected will depend on the result of the investigation. If the probe leads to court, then it will influence their chances in the coming polls.”

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Bersatu’s frozen accounts bad news for PN, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision to freeze Bersatu’s accounts will impact Perikatan Nasional on two fronts in the run-up to the state elections, a political analyst said.

The coalition might not be able to push its “clean and stable” government narrative, while funding for its election machinery could be affected, said Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya.

In the last general election, PN had campaigned on being able to set up a government that was corruption-free, and highlighted the fact that its political rivals had leaders who were facing charges in court.

“This was their selling point and now it looks like it will backfire,” he told FMT.

On Tuesday, MACC chief Azam Baki confirmed that Bersatu’s accounts had been frozen.

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