Opposition parties weaker without PAS, say political pundits

By:
A Azim Idris

Without the inclusion of PAS in Pakatan Harapan, Professor Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani says PKR has made a move reminiscent of the defunct Semangat 46.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23, 2015:

The newly-announced Opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) faces an uphill task in the next general election if PAS continues to exclude itself from the fold, political analysts said.

Professor Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani, of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), said this was because the Islamist party, the largest outside of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, enjoyed strong support in the rural areas, which made up a large portion of constituencies.

Without the inclusion of PAS in PH, Azizuddin said PKR had made a move that was reminiscent of the defunct Semangat 46, where it had formed two coalitions during the general election in 1990.

Semangat 46’s two coalitions were Gagasan Rakyat (with DAP and Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah or APU (with Muslim parties PAS, Berjasa, Hamim and Kimma).

“At present, PKR still maintains ties with PAS despite the formation of the new coalition.

“In context, this is similar to what Semangat 46 did back in 1990, but they performed poorly in the general election then,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He added Semangat 46 had “led” thse two coalitions because DAP then did not agree with PAS over Islamic statehood issues and the implementation of hudud — which was similar to what had transpired recently.

“If PAS is not around this time, they (the Opposition) would most likely lose support in the rural areas.”

Azizuddin added that the performance of the Opposition parties would worsen if they engaged in three-cornered fights in constituencies in the next general election as this would split votes among supporters.

“This would work to BN’s advantage, but Barisan must be also able to perform by resolving internal party issues, primarily within MIC and Umno.

“Even MCA needs to address the lack of support from the Chinese community by then.”

Associate Professor Datuk Dr Samsu Adabi Mamat, of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the Opposition parties had lost an “asset” as PAS possessed a strong party machinery.

Samsu said PAS’ strengths were in its campaign and poster strategies, which were outstanding compared with other Opposition parties.

“This would slow down the Opposition’s effort to wrest Putrajaya because PAS has its own strengths and this will lead to a great decline in support for the new Opposition coalition.”

He said the momentum of PAS’ exclusion would be felt in four states — Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang — as these were dominated by Malay voters.

On PKR’s sustained relationship with PAS, Samsu said it was a “tactical” move on PKR’s part as PKR risked losing the mandate as Selangor state government.

“Without PAS in Selangor, they (PKR) are in a precarious situation. Who else would PKR form a state government with if not with PAS?”

Samsu added it was most likely that PAS would form a loose coalition to wrest other states.

Source therakyatpost.com