Anwar still standing while opposition is in disarray

 

 Malaysia’s opposition is no longer just divided. It is a mess.

Look at what is happening now. Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have already taken over Parti Bersama Malaysia.

At the same time, Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin and his group are still floating around with this Reset idea, still looking for a place to land.

Perikatan Nasional is no better. They shout the loudest, but where is the direction? Where is the plan?

Complaining is easy. Governing is not. At this rate, PN is becoming one of the most ineffective opposition blocs Malaysia has ever seen.

Then comes Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat. A new coalition led by Bersatu, bringing together multiple small parties outside the government.

On paper, it sounds like an alternative. In reality, it raises more questions. You cannot be aligned with PN and, at the same time, try to rebrand yourself under a different name.

This is the opposition today. Scattered. Confused. No clear leader, no clear direction.

Now look at the government.

Pakatan Harapan is not perfect. There are policies people are unhappy with. Some promises have taken too long, but at least there is direction. At least there is movement.

Anwar Ibrahim is still standing. Day in, day out, he is attacked, mocked, and accused. He remains the only leader with both the experience and political reach to hold a fragile coalition together.

Let’s be honest. Who else is there right now?

BN still shaky

BN? They are talking about going solo in Johor and Malacca. It is a familiar pattern. Some call it betrayal, but it has long been part of BN’s political playbook.

MCA has lost Chinese support. MIC has lost trust among Indian voters. Umno is still behind PAS in Malay support. BN itself is struggling to stand firm.

So, what is the real choice? Like it or not, Harapan is still the most stable option on the table.

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People can criticise Anwar all they want. But answer this simple question. Who can replace him today? Name one person who can hold the system together the way he is doing now.

Chinese voters may be unhappy with some issues, but they are not going to shift to MCA. Indian voters may be frustrated, but they are not going to forget what MIC has done or failed to do.

Malay voters are also changing. Not all are buying into endless religious rhetoric anymore. Many can see when they are being used.

That is the reality on the ground.

Rafizi’s grand plan

As for Rafizi’s attempt to position his new party as a third force, we have seen this story before. It sounds good in theory. It fails in reality.

Pejuang tried. It collapsed. Dr Mahathir Mohamad even lost his deposit. Rafizi may hold Pandan, and that is because of his work there, but building a national force is a different game. This is not a movie. This is politics.

Nik Nazmi, who now moves alongside him, has yet to demonstrate the strength, visibility, or track record required.

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

After losing the party election, this looks more like a reaction to defeat than a clear political strategy. Together, they are moving without direction.

So, what happens next?

If an election is called tomorrow, no party wins outright. That is the truth. Malaysia is no longer a one-party dominance system. Coalitions will still decide the government.

And in that situation, Anwar remains the only viable choice. Not perfect, but still the most capable right now.

At this stage, stability itself is leadership. And he is the one still providing it.

The opposition is still arguing among themselves. New coalitions are popping up without direction. Old alliances are breaking without a plan.

Meanwhile, the government, despite its flaws, is still functioning.

Anyone can shout. Not everyone can govern. - Mkini

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MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is a former Federal Territories Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary. He is now a PKR member.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.