PAS may remain with PN despite performance in Melaka

The party is better treated in the coalition, which gives it financial support and allows it to contest in more seats than Umno would offer

by FAYYADH JAAFAR / pic by BERNAMA

PAS may have to decide on its political ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia following the latter’s less than stellar performance in the recent Melaka state election.

Barisan Nasional (BN) has gained the mandate to form the state government without the need for any merger with other political entities.

According to Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Universiti Utara Malaysia, the victory for BN creates a dilemma for PAS, as it must decide whether to stick with Pakatan Nasional (PN) or revive Muafakat Nasional (MN) — its own pact with Umno.

“From the statement of Umno deputy president Datuk Mohamad Hassan, it is clear that BN feels strong and ready for the 15th General Election (GE15),” he told The Malaysian Reserve regarding the victory for BN.

“However, as for PAS, it failed to win a single constituency, but its leaders know that they have a good chance to form the federal government if they stick with MN. PAS is actually divided on this matter because many leaders still want to be with PN, but many believe PAS’ chances are better with Umno,” he said.

“I believe that PAS will stay with PN unless BN can offer them a better option if they choose to defect from PN to BN.

In fact, PN treats PAS well and supports them financially, and PAS offers its machinery to strengthen PN. PAS’ grassroot leaders are also in dispute with Umno after the party demanded to continue ruling Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu,” he added.

He believes that the same scenario that happened in Melaka will be repeated in many states where local Umno leaders will not allow PAS to contest in many areas, except for those where BN does not have any chance to win.

“Normally, these areas are no-go areas for PAS as well. This, I believe, will make PAS stay with PN, the coalition that allows them to contest more seats than Umno would offer,” he said.

BN won 21 out of the 28 seats in the state assembly while Pakatan Harapan (PH) won five seats, and PN secured two seats.

Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said that all is not lost for PH, as BN’s vote share in Melaka only increased slightly by 1% at most.

“The first-past-the-post electoral system gave BN an electoral advantage, especially in the smaller more rural constituencies but BN’s vote share of less than 40% means that with a larger turnout and more younger voters in the context of a national campaign, relatively small shifts in its support could lead to the BN losing many seats in a general election,” said Ong in a statement yesterday.

He added that PN emerged as a real threat to BN as it took up 25% of the total votes — up from 10.7% won by PAS in the 14th GE14.

“This will prevent the internal narrative within PAS to abandon PN and to work with BN/Umno from gaining more momentum, which surely would have happened if PN failed to win any seats and managed only to win less than 20% of the popular vote,” he said.

For PH, the Bangi MP said that it is time for the coalition to have a new narrative and stop relying on its top leaders to bring in support in the GE15.