Bersatu pact allows PH to delay S’gor polls beyond GE16, says analyst

 However, another pundit says this would come with political risks, and Pakatan Harapan would be better off holding the state election concurrently with GE16.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari announced last week that Bersatu’s assemblymen were close to inking a pact with the Selangor government ahead of the state budget’s tabling.

PETALING JAYA:

A pact between the Selangor government and Bersatu could allow the Pakatan Harapan-led administration to serve out its full term and hold the next state election after the 16th general election (GE16), according to an analyst.

Awang Azman Pawi.

With ties between PH and Barisan Nasional increasingly strained, Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi said a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) with Bersatu would allow the Selangor administration to remain in office even after Parliament is dissolved.

“The CSA could give the Selangor government room to maintain political stability until the state assembly’s term automatically expires in September 2028,” he told FMT.

Awang Azman said delaying the Selangor polls could benefit PH by allowing voters to assess the state government’s performance independently of national political sentiments, particularly if Umno and PAS forge an electoral alliance.

“National issues could dominate the considerations of voters,” he said. “On the other hand, holding the state polls concurrently with GE16 would allow for election machinery to be consolidated.”

Nonetheless, he said the bigger question was whether PH could retain voters’ confidence in its ability to govern, particularly on bread-and-butter issues such as the cost of living.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said PH would be better off holding the Selangor state election concurrently with GE16, which must be held by early 2028 at the latest, given the political risks associated with delaying the polls.

Fauzi said a separate state election would entail additional costs, which would run counter to PH’s narrative of efficient governance.

He also believed PH would retain control of the Selangor government even if Umno and PAS managed to generate a strong wave of support under their Malay unity narrative in GE16.

“Based on its strength in urban areas and its impressive economic record since taking over the state government in 2008, the odds favour PH retaining power in the state.

“PH must avoid giving the impression that it plays too much politics (by delaying the state election), especially when the country is faced with uncertain economic fluctuations.

“Holding the state polls concurrently with GE16 would also demonstrate confidence on PH’s part, something that is especially important as the coalition continues to face challenges in Peninsular Malaysia’s Malay belt,” said Fauzi.

Last week, menteri besar Amirudin Shari said Bersatu’s assemblymen were close to inking a pact with the Selangor government ahead of the state budget’s tabling.

The proposed deal comes amid growing tensions between PH and BN in Selangor, as well as strains within Perikatan Nasional, where PAS has emerged as the dominant partner.

The 56-member Selangor assembly comprises 32 PH assemblymen, followed by Bersatu (11), PAS (10), BN (two) and one independent.

Fauzi said not all Bersatu state assemblymen were aligned with the party’s current leadership, with Nurul Syazwani Noh (Permatang), widely seen as an ally of Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin, opposed to the idea. - FMT