PAS-Bersatu split campaigns will affect voter confidence, say analysts

 The two parties are expected to struggle to win over voters during the Johor election campaign if Perikatan Nasional remains fragmented.

PAS and Bersatu are campaigning separately at the Johor state election, although candidates of both parties are contesting under the Perikatan Nasional banner.

PETALING JAYA:

Heading to an election while fragmented and mired in internal turmoil is the worst thing any political coalition can do, says political analyst Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Azmil Tayeb.

A fragmented coalition would fail to inspire voter confidence, he said.

“How can a fragmented coalition govern effectively and solve real issues faced by the public when it cannot even resolve its own disputes? This is what goes on in voters’ minds,” he told FMT when asked about the decision by PAS and Bersatu’s decision to campaign on their own although candidates of both parties are contesting under the same Perikatan Nasional banner.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said the inability of PAS and Bersatu to campaign together did not inspire confidence that they can govern as a coalition.

“This issue is important for Johor’s voters because the state has a diverse electorate ranging from urban, industrial to rural areas. They are not only looking at who the best candidate is, but also who seems the most prepared and stable to lead the state government,” he said.

Tawfik Yaakub.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said PN’s internal turmoil had become widely discussed among voters who, he said, were tired of the tensions between its leaders. “The people want attention from their leaders, not to be burdened with internal party disputes that do not benefit them,” he told FMT.

Hisommudin Bakar of Ilham Centre also said that fragmented campaigning would reduce campaign effectiveness on the ground, with fewer shared resources, weaker grassroots coordination and less effective voter outreach.

Hisommudin Bakar.

“Ultimately, it makes it more difficult to persuade fence-sitters that the parties represent a credible alternative government,” he said.

On June 26, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang dismissed claims that the political rift between PAS and Bersatu was a tactic aimed at boosting PN’s electoral prospects. The next day, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the party’s election machinery in constituencies contested by Bersatu had been moved to seats contested by PAS and other PN component parties.

Who stands to lose more?

Tawfik said Bersatu was likely to be more greatly affected by damaged voter perceptions of PN, following the “serious injury” inflicted by the ouster of former deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and his supporters.

“The party’s machinery was nearly paralysed. Now, it is not cooperating formally with PAS and is looking for untested new political partners like in Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat.

“I foresee Bersatu potentially losing many seats due to this situation,” he said.

Zaharuddin said PAS had also built its strength based on its long-established grassroots network in Johor, while Bersatu had been more reliant on PN’s overall strength.

“That said, PAS is not spared from any risk. If voters notice a power imbalance within PN, it could raise questions on whether the coalition truly has a mutual direction here,” he said. - FMT