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KUALA LUMPUR – Strikingly similar statements by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) urging for Parliament to reconvene has drawn speculation that both coalitions are working hand in glove.
However, the fact that BN is investigating a recent statement released by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi may be a sign that infighting has intensified within the Malay party.
Political analyst Ooi Heng said that it makes sense for MIC to have been angered by Zahid’s press release, since it would likely side with whoever is in power.
The same, however, cannot be said for MCA.
“For MCA, you have to take into account Gerakan’s existence in Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“MCA will have to compete with Gerakan, so they will take a different approach from MIC,” Heng told The Vibes.
He further predicts that MCA and MIC would take a “wait-and-see” attitude to observe the outcome of the scuffle and then pick sides.
On whether the similar statements by BN and PH is a sign of an impending political marriage, Heng said that both coalitions were merely proposing the same thing – for Parliament to open its doors.
“They are proposing the same thing, since the Agong said Parliament can reconvene during the emergency based on the cabinet’s advice.
“So, what they proposed has been asked for, not only by political parties, but also civil society groups,” said Heng.
But that does not mean PN has nothing to worry about, especially after its supreme council meeting on Thursday.
“After Bersatu’s meeting, it failed to mention anything about its relationship with Umno.
“It seems highly likely that it has severed ties with Umno, or at least, Zahid’s Umno,” he said.
Moreover, Heng said that Zahid would face opposition from PN-friendly Umno members, especially after issuing the press release.
He contends that Zahid’s statement would be used by certain Umno members to imply that the Bagan Datuk MP is rejecting Bersatu in order to embrace DAP and PKR.
In the event this happens, everyone has to prepare themselves for three-cornered fights and peculiar alliances.
“In the next general election, we could see cooperation between Umno and PH.
“There could also be some kind of cooperation between Bersatu and PAS in some states.
“If that happens, you will have a mixed scenario, where not all constituencies will display three-cornered battles,” said Heng.
Sharing Heng’s sentiments was Universiti Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi, who said that similar statements between BN and PH signified the beginning of a new relationship.
However, this does not necessarily point to a new political alliance between the two.
Awang said, for now, it could just mean that the warring coalitions share the same goal, which includes getting the Dewan Rakyat up and running.
“In this context, the goals between BN and PH are the same, that is, to ensure the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes soon.
“Even though they have the same goals, I don’t think they are striking a political alignment,” Awang told The Vibes.
Despite this “goal-sharing” scenario between BN and PH, he said that not all of the component parties in both coalitions are in sync.
“If there is any cooperation, it would possibly happen after the general election.
“We can say that this is the start of something new, especially for Umno, but MIC and MCA are playing a different game.
“But then again who cares about MIC? Indians would rather choose PKR or DAP.
“Their cooperation won’t happen in the near future unless a general election happens soon enough.
“Then, based on the seats won, it could pave the way for new coalition alignments," he said.
Meanwhile, Prof James Chin of University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said that it is not possible for BN and PH to collude, given Umno’s hate for DAP.
“They are probably only working together for one thing, which is to get rid of Muhyiddin or have an early general election,” said Chin.
On the squabbling within BN now over Zahid’s statement, he said this was quite normal.
“Back in the day, when BN was in power, Umno issued statements under the auspices of BN, using BN’s name.
“I suspect MCA and MIC will not object to an early general election,” he added.
This is because both the Chinese- and Indian-based parties will want to increase their seats in the August House.
“Their complaints are due to the fact they want to be seen where they are, in a position where they have more negotiating power,” he explained.
However, what drew Chin to Zahid’s statements was his stance that Umno would only support PN until the next election.
“In that context, if he really wanted to trigger something, he would have announced that he was pulling out,” Chin said.
On Thursday, following Umno’s conditional divorce letter, Bersatu at its supreme council meeting said that the party will work with other PN component parties instead including PAS, Sabah Star, SAPP and Gerakan. – The Vibes, March 6, 2021
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