Super majority in sight

While Pakatan Harapan is getting closer to the two-thirds majority, Barisan Nasional on the other hand is disintegrating. The departure of the Sarawak-based parties from Barisan also dimmed any hope of a strong opposition.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan is in a stronger position in Parliament with the departure of four Sarawak parties from Barisan Nasional, say analysts.

The renamed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) said it would continue to be in the Opposition in Parliament, but also indicated that it would “cooperate and collaborate” with the Federal Government on national interest and state rights.

“It is a morale boost for Pakatan. Without contesting, it has an extra 19 seats, closer to the two-thirds majority,” says political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said Pakatan was now in a better position to push through reforms.

Dr Sivamurugan Pandian

“While it is good for Pakatan, I’m not sure if it is good for democracy,” he added.

A two-thirds majority would allow Pakatan to amend the Federal Constitution, which could include changes to the electoral system, which many claim is unfair.

However, independent political analyst Khoo Kay Peng believed Pakatan was not necessarily stronger as both Sabah and Sarawak would try to get the best deal for themselves.

“What happened in Sabah and Sarawak shifted the political situation.

“During the last regime, we saw a very strong central government focused in Putrajaya.

“Sabah and Sarawak were merely considered two of the 13 states,” he said.

He believed the new coalitions in Sabah and Sarawak would push for more autonomous power and equal partnership with the Federal Government.

Khoo said he expected a renewed conscience for Sarawak rights not only from GPS, but also Pakatan lawmakers there.

“They will join in the calls to demand more political rights and allocations for Sarawak,” he added.

As for Barisan, the departure of the Sarawak-based parties is clearly a political setback.

Dr Sivamurugan said this latest development meant a crisis of moral legitimacy for Barisan, as its numbers and strength in Parliament had been reduced.

Barisan now has 57 seats left in Parliament – Umno with 54, MIC (two) and MCA (one).

In the last election, it held 133 seats in Parliament.

Dr Sivamurugan said the biggest challenge for Barisan now is whether more component parties will leave the coalition or if there will be changes after the Umno elections at the end of the month.

“It will come to an end if its own leadership has no political will to change,” he said.

He also pointed out that Umno and PAS, which has 18 parliamentary seats, could even align in the future.

Dr Jeniri said what happens to Barisan depends on how it transforms itself and how Pakatan performs.

“They are still relevant in the short term.

“They need to be a strong opposition and learn from Pakatan, which was the opposition before, to be an effective watchdog,” he said.

Khoo said no one seemed to be taking leadership in Barisan at the moment, and what happened in Sarawak was a result of that.

“It seems to be in continuous disintegration. It must quickly decide on its direction and consolidate,” he said.

It is a morale boost for Pakatan. Without contesting, it has an extra 19 seats, closer to the two-thirds majority.