GEORGE TOWN – Pakatan Harapan (PH) must be realistic about its prospects in the next general election even if it is doomed, as there are indications that the pact will struggle due to an apparent pendulum swing of electoral support towards Umno, says PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.
After four consecutive losses in the state elections of Sabah, Melaka, Sarawak, and Johor, since the general election of 2018, PH went into the next national polls without the momentum of popularity it had benefited from since 2008 – which carried on during the 2013 and 2018 general elections.
“I am not contesting as a defeatist, but I am carrying a message as a realist. We may be at our weakest ebb now, and we must know why so that we can remedy our issues,” he said.
In such circumstances, Rafizi has an interim forecast that PH components can hopefully win up to 80 (out of the 222) parliamentary seats despite the odds stacked against them.
“But we need to be prepared now in the next four to five months,” said Rafizi at a gathering organised by PKR’s Bayan Baru division here last night ahead of party elections from May 13 to 22.
The former Pandan MP, who is contesting for the deputy president’s seat, was visiting members in Kedah and Penang yesterday.
“Time cannot be wasted on negotiations with other parties. We should regain the trust of the people. Focus on the fence sitters and our core supporters,” he added.
He predicted that if PH wins 80 seats in the 15th general election which is due by September next year, it will be among the largest bloc emerging from the polls, and others including Umno must then deal with PH to form the next (federal) government.
He also has a message for PH allies of DAP and Amanah, saying that their pact has been around since 2008. Even without former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was once its chairman before quitting, PH had fared well, almost taking federal power in 2008 and 2013.
He wants PH to consolidate and focus on their strengths instead of being swayed by the discretions of third parties in negotiating for seats.
“PH’s strengths are with the fence sitters and in growing a core group of supporters. Focus on this, and focus on regaining the voice of the people which PH had lost after it became the government in 2018. Be sincere and the people will embrace us.” – The Vibes, April 24, 2022
