SHAH ALAM, Dec 31 — The turmoil in Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially in Selangor, is set to be advantageous to the Unity Government, said Universiti Malaya political analyst Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.
He said Selangor PN has one foot in the grave.
“There’s no longer any clear indication that PN (components) can grow and maintain the stability of their relationship.
“This is a chance for the Unity Government to showcase its political stability and honest relationships that have fed the strength of Selangor’s state administration. Learn from the PN crisis.
“I’m sure that the Selangor Unity Government also has a good opportunity to win more seats at the upcoming election, strengthen stability and focus on its responsibility to defend the people, instead of just politicking the whole time,” Tawfik told Media Selangor.
Yesterday, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali resigned as PN secretary-general and Selangor PN info chief, effective tomorrow.
This was followed by Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin stepping down as Selangor PN secretary, also effective tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Prof Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani projected that the Bersatu-PAS relationship will continue to deteriorate in Selangor, compromising their position in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
“The impact of this crisis is being felt in all states and also in Selangor. PAS and Bersatu will be divided, and maybe their positions will change in the assembly … (depending on) which one holds more opposition seats.
“Whatever it is, it will affect the opposition’s weaknesses at the state and national levels,” he said.
Azizuddin added that PAS and Bersatu won’t go solo as, according to national political patterns, several partnerships are needed to garner votes from a diverse electorate.
He said that although PAS has the most seats in Parliament, not many political parties are receptive to the Islamist pact due to its political approach and image.
“This is why PAS is cajoling Umno into joining Muafakat Nasional (MN), but it is difficult as PAS has betrayed Umno before.
“With this crisis, I can see that Umno could win back its previous seats, so I think the MN agenda would be hard to achieve. If PAS moves on its own, it’ll be challenging,” Azizuddin added.
Universiti Islam Antarabangsa political analyst Syaza Shukri said PAS and Bersatu don’t have another choice besides reconciliation, especially if an election is called soon.
However, she said, the pact may not be as strong as before, and both parties may be more cautious due to a loss of trust.
“I expect PAS to work with Bersatu again, but in a forced, tense manner, as we see their problem may last a while. Even though PN could look for new leaders, it has to find leaders who would be accepted by all. If it can’t find such leaders, it would create problems, but it wouldn’t be a problem for PAS. PAS could move on its own,” Syaza said.
During the 15th general election in 2022, Selangor PN won 22 assembly seats, with 12 going to Bersatu and 10 to PAS.
PN garnered the major support of rural Malays especially in northern Selangor, involving seats in Sabak Bernam, Tanjong Karang, Sungai Besar, and Hulu Selangor.
