Will anti-Najib pact survive beyond the honeymoon?

The Save Malaysia group put on a strong show yesterday to prove that they're united to liberate the country from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, it seems that even a two-prong agreement - that Najib needs to go and that institutional reforms are needed - are not enough to quell old rivalries.

None of those speaking at the anti-Najib declaration signing would say with conviction that they trust their new allies.

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang both deflected such questions, merely saying that they are setting their political beliefs aside.

"That question (of whether I trust) the opposition doesn't arise. What's important is that we are Malaysian citizens," Mahathir said.

Lim, when asked whether he trusts Mahathir, said: "Today, we are here not for political interests. We are here for the nation.

"People of different political beliefs, religions should come together for the country," said the veteran opposition leader.

PKR too seems to have reservations on the pact, with party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail not signing the declaration to ensure that Pakatan Harapan's own reform agendas are not "hijacked”.

And while the group presents itself as a movement that is above politics, a power play appears to be in the works.

This is based on suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's remarks that former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir would lead the pact's secretariat.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, however, was quick to say this matter has yet to be discussed.

Cautious collaboration

The opposition had previously been hesitant to cooperate with the Umno rebels against Najib.

That changed last Saturday when Muhyiddin said removing Najib must be followed with institutional reforms.

While the parties have agreed on these two key demands, it seems that they have failed to reach a consensus on everything else, including on whether jailed de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim should be freed.

Forming a pact on a common agenda without mutual trust echoes the failings of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition.

While PKR, PAS and DAP all had their eyes on a singular mission - removing BN and capturing Putrajaya - distrust and disagreements among DAP and PAS eventually led to the pact's demise.

Yes, the anti-Najib group is not an electoral pact.

But Najib will not likely be shaken by the group and unless it can convince BN lawmakers to jump ship in a no-confidence vote, the fight against the prime minister will be a long one.

It might actually drag on until the next general polls, expected to be called about two years from now, necessitating an electoral plan.

So unless they can get their act together, and actually trust one other instead of having a partnership of convenience, it is possible this anti-Najib pact may not survive beyond the honeymoon phase. -Mkini