KUALA LUMPUR – Political analysts are anticipating the impending collapse of Perikatan Nasional (PN) amid the rising trend of the coalition’s parliamentarians expressing support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
Moreover, they posit that PAS has the potential to play a pivotal role as a sole constructive opposition force in Parliament.
Political analyst, Assoc Prof Syaza Shukri, from the International Islamic University Malaysia, expressed concerns about the trend of politicians switching parties for material benefits.
“This indicates that politicians lack a stand and simply go where power is. I believe the change is due to the increasing stability of the government. Unfortunately, it affects the people who may have chosen these MPs for specific purposes, such as disagreeing with Pakatan Harapan’s ideology,” she told Scoop.
Syaza predicts that this trend may lead to the collapse of Bersatu.
“Although there is a fifty-fifty chance for PN because PAS is still strong and has the ability to hold PN together, it also raises the question of whether the coalition is necessary as the Islamic party has the potential to go ahead on its own.
“Bersatu may remain as a small party like Pejuang,” she added.
Unity govt should be wary of MPs switching support
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow, Oh Ei Sun, said these “fickle-minded” MPs were “bad apples” in the unity government.
“Though this is a worrying scenario for Bersatu and PN, I think the unity government should also be concerned with more PN members expressing support for Anwar and the government.
“If Bersatu MPs can switch their political allegiance with impunity despite the much-vaunted anti-hopping law, there is absolutely no reason why those MPs currently pledging to support the unity government would not do the same, and if a sufficient number of them do so, the unity government would collapse overnight,” he said.
He further noted that Bersatu was essentially a reincarnated version of Umno, with material benefits being the utmost consideration among its members.
“As such, it is no surprise that all of the effectively ‘frogged’ MPs came from Bersatu and none from the ideologically puritanical PAS,” he added.
His comments followed Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal’s recent statement that more PN lawmakers were set to leave the coalition to show support for the government.
He claimed that seven to eight MPs would make a statement on the matter soon.
Oh also warned that the unity government could collapse if it continues to pull support from opposition MPs.
“On the other hand, PAS would remain cohesive and is poised to take over the government any time, now with Dr Sam (Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar) as its latest poster boy for the prime minister candidate,” he added.
Bersatu MPs’ exodus reflects shirking responsibility as opposition
Political analyst Abdul Aziz Azizam from Universiti Teknologi Mara said that although the exodus will not significantly affect the coalition, the real impact will be on the leadership and credibility of Bersatu leaders towards their coalition and the public.
“They are perceived as very weak in representing the aspirations of the people. This kind of action will only undermine people’s trust in the party.
“This reflects a shirking of their responsibility because the opposition is a crucial entity in democracy, and its role is significantly important to balance and provide alternative solutions for the benefit of the people,” he added.
In the past months, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik have declared their support for Anwar.
Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris and Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin were the latest to pledge support for Anwar and the Madani government.
These MPs said their action was to ensure that federal funds would continue to flow for the welfare of their constituents.
Currently, there are 24 Bersatu MPs and 38 from PAS representing the opposition in the Dewan Rakyat. – December 12, 2023