PEJUANG chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad often talks about principles as the basis of unity but one has to wonder what principles is he talking about.
Taking on UMNO/Barisan Nasional (BN) is one thing but on what grounds will the Opposition take them on apart from using the same old song and dance about the 1MDB corruption and the heavy involvement of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak?
I understand that following the Johor state election, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has met Mahathir to discuss the possibility of an electoral pact against UMNO/BN in the coming 15th general election (GE15).
But apart from this meeting, it is not certain whether both the parties – despite their political differences – would be able to sink them in the larger interest of preventing UMNO/BN from capturing political power to form the next federal government.
The pact between Bersatu and Pejuang might not be sufficient to bolster the image and credibility of the Opposition.
At this stage, it is still not certain the possibility of cooperation would be extended to other parties such as those in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
PH after being mauled in the recent by-elections might not be in a strong position to take on UMNO/BN in the next election.
However, an electoral pact seems to be out of question.
Muhyiddin’s betrayal of the PH government through the Sheraton Move in March 2020 remains the stumbling block in any future electoral cooperation.
Mahathir is not an innocent person altogether as his prevarications leading to the weakening of the PH government played into the hands of those responsible for the infamous Sheraton Move.
MUDA, for one, could bridge the gap between Bersatu and Pejuang on one hand and PH on the other hand and if DAP and Amanah can consider the idea of cooperating with MUDA, PKR might warm up to the idea as well.
The Johor election is a reminder that things did not go well with MUDA and PKR – in fact, there was no electoral pact between them.
As it is, the divisions between the Opposition remains a stumbling block to garnering support to take on the BN coalition.
UMNO-led BN seems to be a force to be reckoned with given its admirable performance in the recent by-elections.
The problem with Muhyiddin and Mahathir is that they hardly have any credibility to lead the Opposition and furthermore I doubt the PH would agree to this.
Both their betrayals are something that cannot be easily forgotten.
Bersatu might be in better position to garner Malay votes, especially from those who are dissatisfied with UMNO.
The only reason why Pejuang is keen for an electoral pact is to ensure that Najib does not become the next prime minister.
In other words, Pejuang in general and Mahathir in particular will be singularly focused on the misdeeds of Najib and nothing else.
That being said, PH might want to distance themselves from being too obsessed with Najib – this did not work in Melaka and Johor so why should it work in GE15?
Unless and until the Opposition reconceptualises their political agenda, it would be difficult to take on the UMNO/BN juggernaut.
Unfortunately, Bersatu and Pejuang have nothing substantive to offer to the Opposition as a whole to delegitimise BN. – April 2, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
