KUALA LUMPUR – The defection of several PKR lawmakers in recent weeks in support of Perikatan Nasional may benefit the ruling coalition in the short-term, but is unlikely to give it the edge in the long run.
Political observers alluded to this for a couple of reasons, including protest votes in the 15th general election (GE15) against the administration by Malaysians angry at the enticement of MPs and largely unchanged perception that PN is a “backdoor government”.
Commenting on the recent defections of PKR vice-president Datuk Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat) and his two former party colleagues, Larry Sng (Julau) and Steven Choong (Tebrau), to become independents aligned with the PN government, University of Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it will bolster Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s numbers in Parliament, but that is as far as the advantage goes.
He told The Vibes yesterday that there is a very slim chance of Muhyiddin or his coalition coming out tops in GE15, which is due in two years’ time.
“The benefit for Bersatu and Muhyiddin is just short-term. In the long run and facing the polls, the rakyat will be more furious at what they have done.”
Awang Azman said anti-establishment sentiment among Malaysians has recently grown stronger, largely due to the belief that the government is not addressing the rising cost of living, unemployment and economic stagnation.
Defections a blessing in disguise
Defections will only spell good for PKR as they ensure the party is rid of disloyal members and make room for young, talented leaders to take charge, Awang Azman said.
“I consider this PKR’s internal cleansing phase, to ensure only the loyal stay on. It could be a turning point for the party. There is also a chance that PKR can win more seats because of this, especially if more youth faces are promoted.
“The more defections, the better for PKR. It is a blessing in disguise. With vice-president Xavier no longer there, perhaps it is time for people like Fahmi Fadzil, Nurul Izzah Anwar and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to shine.”
He said the recent defections are expected as there are still a few loyalists of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in the party, following the Sheraton Move in February last year that led to the collapse of Pakatan Harapan.
He added that it is only a matter of time before these individuals realign themselves, especially when offered positions or pressured to do so.
PKR’s appeal dependent on BN-PN cooperation
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun said whether the defections cost PKR in the coming polls will depend on PN’s alliance with Barisan Nasional.
He told The Vibes that should the ruling coalition fail to iron out the creases in ties with BN, whose support for the government is conditional until the election, this will act in the favour of PKR and PH.
“PKR’s huge win in the last general election was not so much due to its superior political appeal as to voters’ disgust with BN’s then rot.
“In the coming polls, if BN does not make a clean-cut deal with PN, those who voted for PKR will likely still do the same.
“This is because voters will perceive PN and BN, as a collective, quite negatively as part and parcel of a ‘backdoor government’ that is pinching vulnerable MPs from PKR and other opposition parties.”
Asked if he believed the switch in allegiances of several PKR MPs is due to inducements and threats of legal action, Oh said this could be one of two reasons; the other being Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s hold on the party.
“When confronted with potential costly legal proceedings or attractive inducements, some less ideologically steady MPs will be tempted to switch sides.
“These same or other MPs may also be disillusioned with Anwar’s continued stranglehold on party leadership, which nevertheless yields no fruitful political returns for the party, despite his many promises over time. So, when the time was ripe, they jumped.”
Moving forward, Oh said, the party may have to look beyond Anwar for a fresh, appealing party leadership. – The Vibes, March 15, 2021
