SPECIAL REPORT | Bersatu has received much flak, particularly from its Pakatan Harapan partners, for accepting elected representatives who defected from Umno.

But grumblings are also coming from within as the party is divided over how to handle Umno members turning away from the former ruling party.

At the parliamentary level, Bersatu has to date accepted three MPs who had quit Umno, namely Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli), Noor Azmi Ghazali (Bagan Serai) and Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah).

The trio had quit Umno to remain as independent before joining Bersatu. Twelve other MPs have also quit Umno and there are now speculations that they are looking to join Bersatu.

The customary complaint was that these former Umno leaders would bring with them the culture of money and patronage politics into Bersatu, which split from Umno two years ago...