By K H Su
If GE12 was the watershed, then GE13 was the defining moment the Opposition hoped for. As the Pakatan Rakyat’s rallying cry of ‘Ini kali lah ubah’ in their election campaign reverberated throughout much of the land, the march to Putrajaya seemed to be gaining momentum leading up to GE13.
While some were disappointed for not witnessing a new federal government installed after GE13, the Opposition did improve upon their previous campaign by capturing more parliamentary seats and even outdoing Barisan Nasional in popular votes secured.
But so much has changed since.
Anwar Ibrahim, touted as the ‘Pied Piper’ of Pakatan Rakyat, is now out of active politics, and the coalition has lost the glue that helped to cement the working relationship between DAP and PAS, two disparate but influential parties. Hence, it was not too surprising that without the influence of Anwar, DAP and PAS have parted ways. Worse still, they are now at each other’s throats.
Many who pinned their hopes on Pakatan Rakyat must have found the events post-GE13 at best, disappointing, and at worse, heart-wrenching.
But then the break-up of Pakatan Rakyat was not shocking, as indeed Barisan Alternatif– comprising Semangat 46, DAP and PAS– had also disintegrated not long after it came into existence. In light of Pakatan Rakyat’s debacle, many now naturally wonder if the latest coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) is going to be more viable and sustainable.
How much of a hope then does PH represent? Or is it even a Pakatan without much Harapan for a start?
PH has named imprisoned Anwar as the prime minister should PH win Putrajaya. Maybe he is a future Nelson Mandela, but it is strange that PH leaders do not think there is another younger, more suitable person.
PKR for the last two years may be better remembered for their infamous ‘Kajang Move’. The politics leading to the ousting of former Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim reeks of the kind of intrigue more often associated with BN parties that continually makes headlines for power struggles. One can sense that many were not quite convinced of Khalid’s guilt as alleged, given his reputation for thrift and clean governance earned during his first term as MB.
The unpleasant events, sparked by the ‘Kajang Move’, which culminated in a crisis for Selangor, have undoubtedly left many, including PKR supporters, with a bad taste in their mouths. Questions have been asked as to whether history will repeat itself. How will PKR govern if indeed PH forms the federal government?
The most successful partner in PH is, without doubt, DAP. Known for their principled consistency, tenacity and resourcefulness, the DAP has dealt near mortal blows to its main rivals MCA and Gerakan in GE12 and GE13. Like PKR, it boasts some of the youngest, most intelligent and articulate leaders within its ranks.
Despite its success, not all is well with DAP. They lost their chairman Karpal to a road accident. No disrespect to Lim Kit Siang, Karpal has always been a paragon of principle and unyielding fighting spirit, rightly earning the moniker the Lion of Jelutong. How much of a loss his death is to DAP may be fully realised only decades later.
DAP has rightly identified the key to greater success as winning the hearts of Malay voters. Their divorce from PAS means the party has lost much momentum in its bid to look more multiracial and to gain a foothold in constituencies where the Malays are the majority.
Meanwhile, even as DAP continues to recruit more notable Malays to shore-up its multiracial image, it is coming under increasing attack from not only Umno but even PAS, and is being portrayed by them as anti-Malay and anti-Islam.
We may not have to wait until GE14 to see if DAP has been getting stronger or otherwise. The Sarawak Election is around the corner, the litmus test for DAP and its partners.
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is, without doubt, the weakest link in PH, having been formed only months ago. Despite this, it proudly parades some highly respected names among its leaders. Amanah claims its main strength lies in the southern states, and even recently in Kelantan. Upon its launch, Mat Sabu announced Amanah has set itself a target of 100,000 members by the end of 2015, but hitherto no announcement of actual membership has been made, leading one to suspect they may still be way off that mark.
The challenge facing PH is indeed daunting, more so in the face of incessant attacks from others, especially Umno. Contending with Umno is normal, but with PAS joining in the fray to discredit DAP and Amanah, it has added a new dimension to this challenge. Hadi looks set to continue to play footsie with Umno to the chagrin of many and to the detriment of PH.
In any contest, the best chance of success is when an enemy is weak and in some disarray. But alas, while Umno continues to be bogged down with internal bickering triggered by mega scandals and the pains of price hikes that continue unabated, PH themselves are still struggling to organise and to offer themselves as a ready alternative.
GE14 is some two and half years away. How quickly and efficiently PH can organise itself will go a long way towards defining our destiny.
K H Su is an FMT reader.
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