THERE are many reasons why the alternative three-party coalition of Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) is not doing well in politics after having done so well in the recent past.
In 2018, Pakatan achieved a great feat when it captured political power in the 14th General Election (GE14) and it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Pakatan was not a mere opposition party but had the trappings of a federal government.
The transition from being a mere opposition party to become the government in power was an important landmark in the development of Pakatan as a party.
Paradoxically, it also set the stage for the coalition to disentangle itself from the corridors of power.
The question of why Pakatan had become less of an attractive force in the country’s political scene within a brief span of time has been a topic of hot debate and analysis.
On the other hand, the kleptocratic party that is UMNO and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that was dethroned by Pakatan in 2018 is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with.
BN’s victory in the recent by-elections is a testament that the coalition might even regain control of the government in the next federal election.
22 months in power
Pakatan’s 22-month stint in the federal government is crucial to an understanding why it has become a non-attractive political force.
The 22 months in power is very much related to Pakatan’s association with none other than the infamous cunning fox that is former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
How he became the darling of the Opposition before the 2018 election still remains a mystery up to this day but it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that bringing him and Bersatu into its folds was the biggest mistake Pakatan has ever made.
The endearment of Mahathir
Mahathir’s incessant attacks against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in particular and corruption in general has endeared him to Pakatan.
PKR’s president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being in prison and the need for a pivotal figure to head the coalition were among the reasons why Mahathir was brought within the folds of the opposition had eventually led to him being termed ‘prime minister designate’.
It was generally thought that in Anwar’s absence, Mahathir would be the ideal candidate to be the prime minister with his capacity to draw the Malay crowd to Pakatan’s side.
Mahathir might have given indications that he was not the same person who imprisoned his opponents earlier during his first term as the prime minister and the very fact he resigned from UMNO to join the opposition were factors that endeared him to the opposition.
Mahathir a changed man?
Unfortunately, the opposition was duped into believing that Mahathir was a changed man and in fact, it was soon proven that he was not interested in advancing Pakatan’s reform agenda.
Rather he had other plans that ran in contrary to Pakatan’s interests.
In fact, he had ridiculed Pakatan’s manifesto to the extent that it ceased to be the basis of critical reforms necessary to politically sustain Pakatan in government.
Not only did Mahathir placed obstacles on the realisation of the goals of the Pakatan government but he overtly and covertly prevented Anwar from succeeding him after two years.
He even gave all kinds of excuses to prevent Anwar from taking over prime ministership.
Anwar’s naiveté
Rather than challenging Mahathir and urging him to keep his promise, Anwar had thought to patiently wait for his turn.
Unfortunately, Anwar paid for his naiveté and for the belief that Mahathir would one day hand over the reins of power to him at some point.
Similarly, other Pakatan component parties rather than pressuring Mahathir had decided to give him the benefit of doubt in the interest of government stability.
Time was of the essence, but unfortunately Pakatan had failed to act to dislodge Mahathir.
Mahathir was no fool as he had clandestinely worked to unseat the Pakatan from power first by undermining Anwar and then by encouraging racist attacks against DAP.
The total effect was devastating to Pakatan as a whole before the coalition was ousted from power through the infamous Sheraton Move.
Mahathir might not have directly fuelled the Sheraton Move but he undoubtedly had a hand in encouraging the forces of dissent against Pakatan.
Of course, Mahathir’s ambition to become the sole administrator of the country under emergency conditions was rebuffed.
Mahathir might be the ultimate architect to Pakatan’s fall from power, but the latter was not completely blameless.
Pakatan is not blameless
Not only did Pakatan fail to stand up to Mahathir’s dictatorial ways but it had caved in to his whims and fancies as well.
In the larger interest of government stability, Mahathir was given an unchallenged free hand to do whatever he pleased.
Criticisms against the Pakatan leadership for succumbing to Mahathir’s dictates were deflected by Pakatan leaders who said that the government must be given a chance to function.
The Malay dignity conference launched by Mahathir was an eye-opener to many.
His speech basically undermined the non-Malays to the extent he called them “pendatang”.
His criticisms of the Malays were directed to how easily they gave in to the British colonial power that had led to the influx of the non-Malays into the country.
Pakatan’s association with Mahathir for a brief period was one costly mistake.
Pakatan’s successive losses in the recent by-elections were due to this association with Mahathir.
Mahathir’s “ghost”
To move forward Pakatan must confront the ghost of its past.
It serves no purpose to tell the public about the coalition’s achievements during its 22 months in power – there might have been achievements but these were considerably dwarfed by the evils of Mahathirism.
Therefore, there is serious need to exorcist the “ghost” of Mahathir if Pakatan is serious in its intentions to move forward. – March 23, 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.
Main photo credit: Yahoo News
