PH must make reforms to stave off becoming opposition again, says analyst

 Wong Chin Huat says the ability of Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional to consolidate votes would present a huge challenge for Pakatan Harapan.

An analyst said Pakatan Harapan must identify the factors behind the growing effectiveness of identity politics in mobilising voters in order to face the next general election.

PETALING JAYA:

Pakatan Harapan must face the prospect of becoming an opposition coalition once more after the next general election, says political analyst Wong Chin Huat.

He said the ability of Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional to consolidate votes would present a huge challenge for PH.

In an interview with Astro Awani, Wong said that as the current election system is to the disadvantage of opposition parties, PH must take advantage of its current position in government to implement reforms that would create a more level political playing field for all parties.

Otherwise, if PH loses power at the next general election, it may have little opportunity to make a comeback.

Wong said the results of the 2022 general election showed that about 28 of the 71 seats won by PH and Muda could fall to BN and PN if votes from supporters of the two coalitions were to be consolidated.

“This is based on the presumption that there is no change in the voter turnout among PH supporters,” he was quoted as saying. “But if voter turnout is low, (PH) may only manage to retain less than 43 (seats).”

Wong Chin Huat.

Wong said PH could not deny the challenges it faced, but must identify the factors behind the growing effectiveness of identity politics in mobilising voters.

PH is the successor to Pakatan Rakyat, the coalition formed by PKR, DAP and PAS. After a split with the Islamic party, PKR, DAP and Amanah, the PAS splinter, formed PH together with Bersatu in 2015.

It served as the opposition coalition until 2018, when it rode a wave of popular unrest to unseat BN which had been in power for some 60 years. However, PH lost power itself when Bersatu left to form a new government with some MPs from PKR and Umno.

PH returned to power after the 2022 general election by forming a coalition with BN, and East Malaysian parties. - FMT