KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) top leadership today called on all opposition parties to consolidate their efforts ahead of the 15th general election, if they hope to stand a chance at turning the tide against a resurgent Barisan Nasional (BN).
The Umno-led BN has seen a return of its political fortunes after being ousted from federal power in 2018, having secured overwhelming majorities in at least two state elections in the past four months at the expense of PH, and their erstwhile partners in Perikatan Nasional (PN).
PH’s presidential council acknowledged that they failed to address several weaknesses that led to their share of seats falling to 12, from the 36 that they won in the 2018 polls.
“The PH presidential council… admits our weaknesses including the issue of multi-cornered contests among the opposition, (use of) logo, low voter turnout and PH’s communication and outreach on current issues,” the council said in a statement.
“Opposition parties should not just contest in PH seats, which will reduce the vote share for PH and indirectly increase the chances of victory for BN.”
PH will organise a convention as soon as possible to reinvigorate the coalition and its supporters to face the general election, the council said, and will continue to develop comprehensive economic policies to address key issues such as unemployment, cost of living, and management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The council will also call for a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who they said must uphold his promise to have an anti-party hopping law approved by Parliament. – The Vibes, March 16, 2022
