‘Pas, Umno held back by ideological differences’
KUALA LUMPUR: Analysts are divided over whether the Umno and Pas alliance will work out in the long run, following the opposition parties’ three-in-a-row defeat in the Sungai Kandis, Balakong and Seri Setia by-elections recently.
Three of five political analysts contacted by the New Straits Times Press said ideological differences were the stumbling block to a successful long-term collaboration between the two parties.
They said the success of such a pact hinged on the grassroots, who needed to be on the same page and shared the opposition bloc’s agenda.
Political analyst Dr Rusdi Omar said Umno and Pas had to discuss their issues and goals so that the grassroots from both sides could see eye to eye.
“This means they cannot go into a haphazard alliance just to canvas votes in a by-election, and after that, go back to square one.”
Rusdi, an associate professor at Universiti Utara Malaysia, said an alliance based only on Malay and Muslim issues would not be easily accepted because of Malaysia’s multiracial landscape.
The alliance, he said, should instead focus on people’s problems, such as the cost of living, governance and corruption.
He was responding to Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun’s statement that the collaboration between Umno and Pas had failed, in view of the three by-election defeats.
The senator was quoted as saying that the basis for the pact was ineffective as people did not want an opposition that openly stated that it focused solely on the interests of Malays and Muslims.
He said Umno had to instead study the approach used to attract support and votes from non-Malay voters.
Umno, he said, could work with Pas when it involved laws and policies on Malay and Islam’s interests, but the differences in ideology had to be retained.
He said Umno was built on the principle of working together and moderation, not nationalism and racism.
Analyst Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani concurred with Khairul’s views, saying that times had changed.
He said Umno was seen as a farright party that had scared off most Malaysians, whose leanings were moderate.
“This is different from Pakatan Harapan, which is favoured because of its political branding that is open and brings about an agenda of freedom apart from being friendly to the business community and civil society,” said the Universiti Utara Malaysia professor.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the trials and tribulations that Umno and Pas suffered in the by-elections showed that the parties had to deal with trust issues.
“It looks like the high-ranking leaders can see eye to eye, but their supporters at the lower levels cannot accept them fully.
“If they want a better outcome without hoping for instant but instead lasting success, the political collaboration has to change to a political struggle.”
He said despite the parties’ sincerity in forming a collaboration, it did not mean they would be accepted as an opposition bloc.
Associate Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid, who is deputy director of the Institute of Ethnic Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the collaboration could work if they were on the same page.
“There must be a focus on Pas supporters who want an emphasis on morality and Barisan Nasional supporters who have a proMalay agenda.
“Both these groups have placed their trust that a Malay leadership is needed to lead Malaysia.”
Universiti Malaya’s Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the alliance was in its early stages and needed more time.
“The parties have a difference in ideology and a new cooperation can be based on issues related to laws and interests.
“Both parties need time to shed their trust issues.”
... they cannot go into a haphazard alliance just to canvas votes in a by-election... DR RUSDI OMAR
Political analyst