Bersatu-PAS pact unlikely to benefit Perikatan ahead of Johor polls: political analysts 

KUALA LUMPUR – The pact between Bersatu and PAS might prove too little too late in terms of garnering votes for Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the upcoming Johor polls. 

Furthermore, considering the deeply entrenched history of the relationship between the state and Barisan Nasional (BN) component party Umno, the pact is unlikely to lead to any fruitful gains. 

Such sentiments were expressed by political analysts, including Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azmil Tayeb who believes that the alliance is setting the stage for an overwhelming Umno victory similar to the one witnessed in the Melaka polls in November last year.

“It is hard to imagine how the alliance will be able to challenge Umno’s dominance in the Malay-majority areas, especially with Johor being the birthplace of the party,” he told The Vibes. 

Azmil added that the only hope for survival for the PN coalition is to use government resources to support populist programmes in a bid to shore up voters’ support. 

The Melaka election on November 20 saw BN winning the state polls by clinching 21 of the 28 seats contested, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) claiming five seats and PN garnering only two seats. 

Yesterday, the two PN parties expressed disappointment over political playmaking by certain quarters, following a meeting between them at Glenmarie Hotel in Shah Alam. 

It was led by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Muhyiddin said that all PN components, which include Gerakan, will use the coalition’s logo for the Johor election, in which they will face BN.

Both parties agreed to further strengthen their bonds in pursuit of national political stability.

Muhyiddin said they reached an agreement to hold shared principles based on the values of integrity, stability, and inclusive unity while strengthening the PN coalition. Additionally, Bersatu and PAS vowed to step up their efforts to woo voters on the fence and the youth via clear branding.

Marriage of desperation and convenience

Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, asserted to The Vibes that the move by Bersatu and PAS is one based on both desperation and convenience, with no light at the end of the tunnel for either party. 

“For Bersatu, it is an alliance of desperation as it has very shallow grassroot machinery in comparison to Umno and PAS. Party machinery has proven crucial in turning out voters in the current voting-shy era. 

“In PAS’ case, the pact is one of convenience. The party has seemingly embarked on a road of no return as far as making good with Umno is concerned, seeing as how it has betrayed Umno perhaps one too many times,” Oh said. He added that the party led by Hadi has yet to make significant inroads in Johor. 

Commenting on Muhyiddin, Oh said that even on his own home turf he “does not sound at all confident”. Muhyiddin was Johor menteri besar from 1986 to 1995.

“Muhyiddin’s Johor base was built mainly during his Umno days, with most of these supporters remaining loyal to Umno instead of Bersatu.

“Following Bersatu’s betrayal of PH during the Sheraton Move and after PH signed the memorandum of understanding with the federal government, it can no longer count on the party’s reform lustre,” he said.   

Bangsa Johor pride and intra-ethnic sensibility

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Assoc Prof Kartini Aboo Talib shared a similar viewpoint, theorising that the alliance has a slim chance of winning seats in light of Umno’s strong presence and roots in Johor. 

Regarding PAS’s ability to win over Malay voters, Kartini said that while the party is relevant in “moral constituents” such as Kelantan and Terengganu, the intra-ethnic demographics of Johor must be taken into consideration. 

“The singular label of ‘Malay’ may not apply in Johor as it has diverse intra-ethnic groups with different dialects and principles. The people of Johor have always been proud to be Johoreans, and the idea of ‘Bangsa Johor’ voiced by the royalties of the state has made them united against all odds,” she said. 

She further suggested that in order to rally support from voters, the parties should adopt a strategic approach by naming candidates with strong professional backgrounds besides being closely engaged with the local people. 

Both the present federal government and the Johor government prior to the state assembly’s recent dissolution are led by Umno.

On January 22, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, who is from Umno, had announced that he had obtained the agreement of Umno division chiefs in the state to hold the Johor election.

He was later granted an audience with Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who assented to dissolving the state assembly. – The Vibes, January 31, 2022