All the pieces matter

MALAYSIA now faces a simple choice.

We can keep doing politics the same way we’ve always done politics. Or we can use this historic opportunity to change Malaysia’s forever.

The true question facing us today is: Who is the enemy now?

There’s always the old model, where political enemies are neatly divided: One set of politicians doing everything they can to stay in power, and another set of politicians doing everything they can to take over power. This old model has led to non-stop fighting between politicians and their supporters, dividing Malaysia bitterly as a result – especially along the lines of race and religion.

Conventional analysis suggests that the main political division in Peninsular Malaysia will now be Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional on one side, and Perikatan Nasional on the other – old players swapping around roles, but in the same old script of constantly warring enemies.

In this configuration, Pakatan will be led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s multiracial PKR, against the Malay-only Bersatu and, more importantly, the Muslim-only PAS – the party with the most seats in Parliament.

It doesn’t take a genius to see how this will play out.