7 join PPBM
MOVE boosts Pakatan Harapan’s parliamentary majority ahead of a key by-election for a state seat.
PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s acceptance of seven former Barisan Nasional lawmakers into its fold is a move aimed at consolidating Pakatan Harapan as a ruling coalition prior to a key byelection for a state seat.
Experts said the crossovers, which were officially announced by Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at a media conference yesterday, took place three days before the nomination of candidates on Saturday that would kickstart the campaign for the Semenyih by-election.
The seven former BN lawmakers are Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), Datuk Shahbudin Yahya (Tasik Gelugor) and Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah).
“The Semenyih byelection is expected to be challenging. Bersatu will need a host of strategies to galvanise its image as a force to be reckoned with.
“That said, the inclusion of former BN and Umno leaders is part of a strategy to improve Bersatu’s morale to face the byelection,” said Universiti Malaya analyst Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
Awang Azman agreed that the move would fortify PH’s parliamentary majority, as well as Bersatu’s position as the new Malay political bastion following BN’s aggressive focus on appeasing Malay and Islamic hardliners.
“The new lawmakers will strengthen Bersatu’s position in Parliament. Previously, Bersatu only had 15 parliamentary seats despite appearing dominant in the cabinet.
“This can help to thwart growing perception that Bersatu is too dependent on PKR and DAP for support or endorsement. I believe that the inclusion of new lawmakers will improve Bersatu’s political survival.”
Currently, PH, with the endorsement of its allies Parti Warisan Sabah and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation, has the support of 135 parliamentary seats.
The coalition is only 13 seats away from a two-thirds majority of 148 out of 222 seats.
As for the upcoming Semenyih by-election, the vast number of the seat’s Malay electorate, at 68 per cent, have been touted as a gauge to measure the current support for PH.
Another analyst, Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, said the latest entry of former Umno leaders into Bersatu centred on efforts by the party to consolidate PH’s parliamentary majority.
“PH formed the government with a simple majority and not a two-thirds majority. This latest move to accept parliamentarians who were formerly with the opposition is being done to consolidate PH’s majority in Parliament.
“At this point, PH needs to rope them in to support the coalition’s agenda for reform. But this invitation is not meant for just any parliamentarian as PH is choosing those who are considered ‘acceptable’.”
He said based on the experience of the six former Umno members of parliament in government matters, they would probably be given specific tasks.
“For instance, Hamzah is a former cabinet minister, similar to Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who performed well in the previous government. He could help in many ways as many PH cabinet members are inexperienced.”
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia analyst Dr Mohd Akbal Abdullah, however, warned that the entry of former Umno leaders into the ruling coalition could bring more problems in future.
“PH could well be facing an impending crisis by accepting former Umno members into its fold, especially from those who have voiced disagreements with such moves. BN, as an opposition, is facing less pressure compared with PH now.”
Akbal disagreed with any notion that the new memberships were meant to demoralise BN following its victory in the Cameron Highlands polls recently.
“It has nothing to do with any attempt to demoralise Umno after the Cameron Highlands byelection. These efforts to get them (the seven lawmakers) into PH began way before the Cameron Highlands by-election.”