Pas needs to form alliances to do well in GE14, say analysts
KUALA LUMPUR: Pas will not perform well in the general election if they do not form an alliance with another party, political pundits said yesterday.
Political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani from Universiti Utara Malaysia said Pas would likely lose several seats if they chose to stand alone in the 14th General Election.
“Perhaps, Pas can form an alliance with Barisan Nasional. They could become an official member of BN or work with BN without joining the coalition.
“This will make BN strong and it has a good chance of winning the GE14.
“I think Pas should join BN to have more bargaining power within BN. Otherwise, their role is limited,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Azizuddin said the opposition coalition was suffering from a weak machinery and declining support among the Malays.
“But to win the election, we believe in the people’s power. So, the opposition still has a chance to surprise if they have and employ the correct ingredients to win the GE14.”
Political analyst Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia, said Pas’ move to sever ties with PKR would result in more three-cornered fights in GE14.
He said despite Pas’ insistence to go it alone, it would remain friendly with Umno and BN, as evident during the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections last year.
“I don’t think Pas should join BN. They need to avoid any protests from their loyal members. Also, Umno wants to avoid any face-offs with other BN component parties.”
Sivamurugan said BN should see the breaking of ties between Pas and PKR as an opportunity to strengthen its machinery and keep its own house in order.
He said Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, needed to go back to the drawing board and devise new strategies to defeat Pas and BN.
Political scientist Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman said Pas would not be able to retain its urban seats without forming an alliance with other parties.
Pas officially severed ties with PKR on Thursday for breaching conditions of their tahaluf siyasi.