Wawasan can’t just be seen as a substitute in PN, says analyst

 Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri says the party led by Hamzah Zainudin must be a politically and economically competent driving force in the opposition coalition.

Analyst Ahmad Fauzi Abd Hamid said Wawasan has a golden opportunity to fill the void in PN. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Parti Wawasan Negara needs to be a politically and economically competent driving force within Perikatan Nasional (PN), not just perceived as a substitute for other component parties, an analyst says.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said such qualities were necessary for the party to help refine PN’s strategy to win over voters.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.

“If the party (Wawasan) merely replaces Bersatu without resolving the leadership tussle or seat allocation disputes ahead of an election, PN will simply be undergoing a rebranding exercise without addressing the underlying issues.

“The internal crisis will only be prolonged,” he told FMT.

Zaharuddin was commenting on remarks by Wawasan information chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal on Sunday.

Wan Fayhsal said the party would help PN strengthen its election machinery and strategies to win over voters, particularly in the Negeri Sembilan polls on Aug 1.

PAS severed ties with fellow PN component Bersatu last month. Wawasan, led by former Bersatu deputy president Hazmah Zainudin, was later admitted into the opposition coalition.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.

Ahmad Fauzi Abd Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Wawasan had a golden opportunity to fill the void in PN, citing the perception that the coalition had moved beyond the constraints of conservatism.

He said Wawasan should champion the “new national consensus” outlined in “Reset Malaysia”, the movement launched by Hamzah following his removal from Bersatu.

The national consensus is a political and policy framework aimed at rebuilding the nation based on the interests of all Malaysians, with the goal of securing victory in the 16th general election and forming the government.

Fauzi said the inclusive nature of the consensus could help bridge the urban-rural divide among voters.

He said PN must also project a moderate Islamic image and avoid being perceived as extremist.

In this regard, Fauzi said Wawasan could assume Bersatu’s previous role as a moderating force in PN through the promotion of the consensus.

“However, the two parties will need to negotiate and clarify their respective positions within the coalition,” he said. - FMT