PH still needs BN, says analyst

 

Recent comments by PH and BN leaders show that the coalitions in the unity government were prepared to form an electoral pact that could ensure stability and continuity, an analyst said.

PETALING JAYA: 

Pakatan Harapan (PH) needs Barisan Nasional (BN) to remain in power, says an analyst, pointing out that BN holds two advantages over the Anwar Ibrahim-led coalition.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said for one, BN, via its lynchpin Umno, is PH’s 

best option

 to win over the Malay electorate that PKR and Amanah have struggled to attract in the past.

Secondly, BN’s longstanding relationship with parties in Sabah and Sarawak meant that if PH were to continue collaborating with BN, the political parties in Sabah and Sarawak would automatically work with PH as well, he said.

PH cannot afford to go solo in this matter. At most, it can only secure 80 parliamentary seats and the remaining number needed to form a majority would require BN’s support, at least in the peninsula,

 he told FMT.

Azmi Hassan.

Azmi was commenting on Anwar’s statement that PH was still open to work with BN for the next general election (GE16).

Anwar’s remarks come in the wake of Umno vice-president Johari Ghani’s statement that Umno would need at least two to three general elections before it can become a dominant force once again.

In July, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that they would face GE16 together with PH, but with the coalitions contesting under their own banners.

Azmi said if Umno wanted to regain its dominance, it must win as many seats as PKR and DAP, or more.

Awang Azman Pawi.

In the last general election, Umno only managed to win 26 seats. PKR won 31 seats, while DAP secured 40 seats.

Meanwhile, Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said PH’s decision to leave the door open for negotiations to work with BN shows that it was prepared to form an electoral pact that could ensure stability and continuity.

He said such an approach by PH could help restore confidence in voters that its alliance with BN was not out of its political interest.

PH is looking to portray themselves as inclusive and a coalition that is prepared to prioritise national interest above party. - FMT