KOTA KINABALU – The only form of collaboration that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Umno can have is one based on policies, says United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
“Anything more and both parties will be shunned by voters,” said Tangau.
He said while PH and Umno prepare their base for a coalition government after the 15th general election (GE15) and if circumstances necessitated a radical realignment in pursuit of power and positions, this may only invite voters’ wrath.
“Any collaboration between PH and Umno before and during GE15 must be based on policies, or both PH and Umno may be punished by voters for a drastic realignment.
“If reformist voters see a PH-Umno pact as a marriage of convenience, they could simply punish PH by abstention in GE15.
“A low turnout can easily cause PH’s defeat in expected multi-corners in marginal constituencies, leaving PH with so few seats that it may only qualify to be a junior partner in the next government or simply be consigned to the opposition,” he said in a statement.
Wilfred, who is also Tuaran MP, said he is deeply worried and frustrated that PH may be leaning towards unrealistic goals.
“PH should stand for a realistic hope for a better future, not a wishful thinking for a short-term turn-around.
“PH must remember the danger captured by the Malay proverb, ‘Yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran (missing what is pursued and losing what is already secured)’.
“PH leaders must recognise two facts – first, for 13 months after the Sheraton Move, PH failed to present a comprehensive set of policies, even when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government presented chaotic, haphazard and shortsighted policies amidst a pandemic and a global recession.
“This cannot be blamed on Muhyiddin or Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Second, if automatic voter registration and Undi18 is implemented by July as planned, eight million new voters will join the electorate and many of them will be unforgiving to parties and politicians who indulge in the pursuit of power and positions rather than policies.
“What PH Plus needs now is the preparation of a realistic manifesto with policy positions that capture the imagination of its voters and are acceptable to potential government partners.
“Collaboration with Umno must be considered in this wider scheme of policy formulation and positioning.
“Voters will not trust PH if the next manifesto is again some work in air-conditioned rooms without candid debates and serious deliberation between grassroots of its various component parties.
“Voters will feel betrayed again if promises are made and later thrown out completely when they are objected to by government partners.
“I urge PH leaders and grassroots who share the same concern to speak out to make PH stronger.” – The Vibes, March 21, 2021
