Ditch partisan spirit for ‘big tent’ to work, PH told

 

The national interest must come first for any coalition government formed after the next general election, says an analyst.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) “big tent” can only be successful if the parties involved put aside their partisan spirit for the sake of the national interest, says an analyst.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said any alliance between the opposition coalition and other parties, such as Bersatu, if not formed for the sake of the national interest, would only result in another change of government similar to how PH was toppled in February 2020.

That would mean a continuing mess in national politics.

For the “big tent coalition” to achieve real success, the parties involved must be willing to put aside their narrow partisan interests in favour of the nation’s overall benefit.

“Even if this big tent happens but these narrow interests are not left aside, there’s no use because if they form a government after the next general election (GE15), they will be caught up in a thousand and one problems and with discontent.

“If they form the government, it’s highly likely that it cannot last long. In fact, something like the ‘Sheraton Move’ would be repeated and our politics would be unstable,” he said.

PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim had recently hinted at being open to working with the Muhyiddin Yassin-led Bersatu again, despite strong opposition from fellow leaders in the coalition.

Muhyiddin, who also heads Perikatan Nasional (PN), had said Bersatu would “work with anyone” to ensure straight fights against Barisan Nasional (BN).

But Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, among others, have both stated that it would be nearly impossible for PH to work with Bersatu again, citing the party’s hand in the Sheraton Move.

Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, an analyst at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, said the influx of six million new voters could be a major factor in the formation of new political alliances post-GE15.

He said parties that were vocal about issues involving youths could gain their vote and retain them for up to a decade. However, he noted that this hung on how active these young voters were. - FMT