Bersatu may need another coalition if Muhyiddin wants to keep Pagoh, says analyst

 Mazlan Ali says the former prime minister previously relied on PH and PAS to retain his parliamentary seat.

Muhyiddin Yassin has been the Pagoh MP for nine terms, serving from 1978 to 1986 and from 1995 to the present.

PETALING JAYA:

An analyst says Bersatu may need to join another coalition if party president Muhyiddin Yassin intends to remain relevant in Pagoh, following Perikatan Nasional’s losses in two state seats within the parliamentary constituency during the recent election in Johor.

Mazlan Ali.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Muhyiddin’s standing in the opposition coalition appeared to be under threat following the defeat of Bersatu candidates in Bukit Kepong and Bukit Pasir.

Former Johor menteri besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal lost to Umno’s Ahmad Syarie Yusof by a majority of 10,761 votes in the contest for the Bukit Kepong seat, while Idzharruddin Nasirruddin came in last in a three-cornered fight in Bukit Pasir.

Mazlan said previous electoral outcomes showed that Muhyiddin had relied on other coalitions to defend Pagoh after his sacking from Umno in 2016.

Muhyiddin retained the seat in the 2018 general election while Bersatu was part of Pakatan Harapan (PH).

In the 2022 general election, Muhyiddin retained the seat again with PAS’s help under PN.

PAS, however, cut ties with Bersatu last month, although both parties remain part of the opposition coalition.

“(Muhyiddin) must either work with PH or IPR,” Mazlan said, referring to Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat, a loose coalition comprising opposition parties, including those outside PN.

He added, however, that IPR was less influential than PH.

Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming recently said that Muhyiddin could lose the Pagoh seat at the next general election following Bersatu’s wipeout in the Johor state election.

Ong said support for Bersatu has waned after PAS severed ties with the party.

Muhyiddin has been the Pagoh MP for nine terms, serving from 1978 to 1986 and from 1995 to the present.

Syaza Shukri.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said Muhyiddin’s prospects would dim further if the spat between PAS and Bersatu continued.

“He may, however, still be able to give his rivals a run for their money because his personal brand appeals to voters.”

She nonetheless said that voters would also consider the strength of the coalition a candidate represents.

“Without PAS or any other coalition, there will be little confidence in Muhyiddin,” she said. - FMT