NEWLY minted Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary-general, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has indicated that it was not impossible for Parliament to be dissolved before its term ends in 2027 and has urged party delegates to prepare for the possibility of snap polls.
In the twenty four months, the Anwar-led government has been hit by criticism from all sides and there have definitely been attempts to destabilize the government.
No government in this country can last long without the support or endorsement of the Malays, the majority population.
Perikatan Nasional cannot hope to form the Federal Government without support from the non-Malay electorate including those from Sabah and Sarawak.
Perikatan Nasional must find ways to win the support of non-Malay voters by adopting a fresh approach in engaging with the non-Malays.
Muhyiddin, of course, is the president of BERSATU, a splinter of UMNO but it is PAS that is providing the solid foundation and backbone for the PN coalition.
Without PAS, Bersatu is not significant as it was formed by ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Its objective then was to kill Umno politically and take its place as the champion of the Malays in this country.
Although, Perikatan Nasional claims that they already have strong support from the Malay community, now they must expand support beyond this demographic.
Some non Malays and non-Muslims felt anxious and fearful of PAS which is the largest component party within PN and holds the most seats in the lower house-due to its policies aimed at making Malaysia an Islamic country.
Are Bersatu leaders prepared to close ranks and reconcile with UMNO as both parties share a common ideology?
Or, Bersatu rebrands for its future direction?
In order to win the hearts of the non-Malays, Bersatu is banking on a its new document – Bersatu ideology to overcome its biggest hurdle in capturing federal power – convincing non-Malays.
Perikatan Nasional secured a total of 74 seats at the 2022 general election, just eight seats behind Pakatan Harapan.
Bersatu’s AGM is currently being held at Ideal Convention Centre, Shah Alam. – November 30, 2024
M.Vivekananthan has served the Malaysian government at various ministries and agencies for 30 years.