Analyst: Fraying Harapan-BN ties good for public, could spur 'corporate mafia' RCI

 

INTERVIEW | Fraying ties between Pakatan Harapan and BN could ultimately benefit the public by strengthening political competition and scrutiny of alleged wrongdoing, including the “corporate mafia” controversy, said political analyst Wong Chin Huat.

In an interview with KiniTV, Wong said growing electoral rivalry between the two federal ruling coalitions had emboldened the government to act against corruption and abuse of power, citing the release of the royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji and subsequent enforcement action.

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously given Umno considerable leeway in managing relations within the coalition, but that goodwill was not reciprocated.

“If Umno reciprocated Harapan’s goodwill, perhaps the RCI report on Tabung Haji might still not have reached the stage of being made available for public scrutiny and action by the enforcement authorities.

“And now we see that because Umno has dared to confront Harapan, Harapan has also become bolder in taking more serious action not only over Tabung Haji but also Felda.

“Anwar has given Umno a lot of leeway, but this has been repaid with competition that was openly unfriendly, if not outright hostile, first in Johor and then in Negeri Sembilan,” Wong said.

He was referring to BN’s decision to contest against Harapan in Johor, followed by its cooperation with federal opposition Perikatan Nasional in Negeri Sembilan.

However, BN continues to cooperate with Harapan in Sabah, which Wong described as a “political recalibration” rather than a straightforward choice between cooperation and confrontation.

Responding to Federal Territories DAP delegate Sangeet Kaur Deo’s call for the party leadership to reassess its relationship with Anwar, Wong said her remarks reflected concerns that the prime minister had been too accommodating towards Umno.

“And I think Anwar knows the harm this has caused because his goodwill was not reciprocated with goodwill. Kindness was not repaid with kindness,” he said.

At the DAP national congress last Sunday, Sangeet, while debating a motion on whether the party should remain in government until the next 16th general election, also criticised the government’s perceived failure to deliver on its anti-corruption pledges.

RCI test for Anwar

Wong said the fraying Harapan-BN ties could work in the public interest by creating stronger incentives for both sides to hold each other accountable.

“If we look at it from the public interest, in fact, the increasingly loose relationship between Harapan and BN benefits the people,” he said.

He said the same competitive pressure could allow Anwar to demonstrate his anti-corruption credentials through an RCI into the alleged “corporate mafia” scandal.

The controversy centres on allegations that MACC enforcement officers colluded with business figures to pressure company owners and facilitate corporate takeovers.

MACC has denied the allegations, prompting calls from DAP leaders and civil society groups for an RCI.

Wong argued that focusing enforcement action only on cases allegedly involving Umno figures risked creating a perception that prosecutions were being weaponised against political opponents.

“If we look at the corporate mafia scandal, among the names mentioned are people close to the prime minister himself, including his former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

“So this is the best opportunity for Anwar to show that he truly rejects all forms of corruption and abuse of power, regardless of whether those involved are opponents or friends,” he said.

The “corporate mafia” allegations have also been linked to the NexG Bhd shareholder dispute, with media reports tying Farhash to one faction in the tussle.

Farhash has denied attempting to take over the company and, in March, issued a letter of demand to Channel News Asia over its report on the matter.

Businessperson and former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak

Wong said an RCI would allow Anwar to address doubts over whether his reform promises were being applied consistently.

“Because there are people who constantly question whether Anwar’s grand statements and lofty promises are being implemented consistently - whether his actions match his words, or whether there are double standards,” he stressed.

He said the public should not expect politicians to be flawless, but should expect leaders to correct themselves when shortcomings are exposed.

‘Selective outrage over corruption’

Asked why Anwar had yet to take a stronger stance against corruption, Wong cited perceived pressure from coalition partners, including Umno and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

He pointed to the Sabah mining scandal, in which only two of 14 assemblypersons implicated have been charged so far.

“That is a problem, and it has been said that this is because of the coalition government,” he said.

However, Wong said the deeper problem went beyond Anwar or the coalition government, arguing that partisan and identity politics had produced selective attitudes towards corruption.

“Our society is so preoccupied with identity politics to the extent that if corruption is committed by one of ‘our own’, then it is considered acceptable.

“But if it is committed by someone else, by the opposing side, then we must rise up and fight it.”

Wong cited the special parliamentary sitting on the Tabung Haji RCI report and a walkout by PN MPs, saying the episode should have prompted a deeper debate on accountability and measures to prevent similar scandals.

“Instead, what we saw were scenes aimed merely at winning cheers from supporters instead of finding solutions.

“And I think that is the problem we face because all sides prioritise party interests over the common interest,” he added.

Against this backdrop, Wong said BN’s willingness to challenge Harapan electorally could have the unintended benefit of making the government more willing to scrutinise alleged wrongdoing involving its own partners.

He said Harapan and BN competing against each other in GE16 and future state elections, rather than dividing seats between them, could ultimately produce healthier political competition. - Mkini