SHAH ALAM – Bersatu must urgently resolve its internal conflicts and refocus on the electorate, political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard has warned, noting that the party risks losing voters’ trust if factional disputes persist.
Chegubard, who also serves as the Bersatu division chief for Port Dickson, stressed that the party’s priorities should centre on the nation’s future rather than internal politics or individual positions.
“In my view, this is normal; every political party faces similar challenges. However, in Bersatu, I believe we are perhaps too sincere in speaking openly to the public about our problems.
“We must not become comfortable with this,” he told Sinar Daily during a recent segment of Politically Frank.
Chegubard urged Bersatu to settle its internal issues swiftly, emphasising that the party’s primary concern must remain the people.
“We have to solve it quickly because the central issue is the people and their perceptions. Currently, it appears we are not closely connected to the voters,” he added.
He also pointed out that personal ambitions should not overshadow national interests.
“I am not keen on focusing on seats or where I should stand in politics. I am still young, at 47. My priority now is to consider the state of this country and my role in ensuring it remains a conducive environment for my children,” he said.
These remarks come amid ongoing political turbulence in Perlis, where tensions between Pas and Bersatu within Perikatan Nasional (PN) have intensified.
The crisis peaked in late December 2025 when eight state assemblymen—five from Bersatu and three from Pas—signed statutory declarations withdrawing support for the then Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli of Pas.
Shukri resigned on Dec 25, 2025, citing health reasons and was replaced three days later by Bersatu’s Kuala Perlis assemblyman, Abu Bakar Hamzah.
The move was widely interpreted as an attempt by Bersatu to assert greater influence within PN at the expense of Pas.
Although Pas subsequently sacked the three assemblymen involved, the Speaker announced that no by-elections would be held before the next general election.
The fallout has since spilled onto the national stage, contributing to mounting instability within PN and culminating in the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as coalition chairman.
A Supreme Council meeting meant for yesterday was cancelled after Muhyiddin called for the PN component presidents to meet.
In a leaked letter, Muhyiddin later claimed that Bersatu and Pas had agreed to abolish the PN chairman’s post as part of the coalition’s restructuring during a meeting at his home more than a week ago.
The former prime minister said they also agreed that the presidential council headed by Bersatu would be the highest decision-making body in PN, while an executive council led by Pas would handle the administrative aspects.
However, Pas deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man denied Muhyiddin’s claim, saying the matter was not even discussed during the meeting on Jan 16.
Chegubard warned that unless Bersatu restores public confidence quickly, the party could face even deeper challenges ahead.