KOTA BARU – The head of Kelantan Pakatan Harapan (PH) said that the opposition coalition and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have no choice but to consider a pact if they want to prevent Barisan Nasional (BN) from winning the 15th general election (GE15).
Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah said that the “writing was on the wall” long before both were defeated in the Johor election yesterday, which saw BN achieving a thumping victory by raking in 40 of the 56 seats contested.
He pointed to their losses in the Melaka polls in November and the Sarawak election in December last year. Parties under the two coalitions sustained heavy losses on both occasions.
He said the concept should be BN against the “rest of Malaysia”. The scenario should see newcomers such as Warisan, Pejuang and Muda partnering with PH and PN.
“We should no longer tolerate three to six-cornered fights and the loss of deposits. Let’s make it a straight fight and allow the voters to decide what is best,” said Wan Abdul Rahim, who is a former state Amanah chief.
“Voters also want a sense of security and safety. We must provide that.”
He warned that there is now the distinct possibility that BN will secure a two-thirds majority in GE15, which is due by September next year.
“I believe if there is no change in the attitude of PH and PN leaders and supporters, there is no denying that BN will win. And I dare say it will be a victory with a two-thirds majority in the next federal election.”
The onus is on the leaderships of PH and PN to decide on the next course, he said in an interview with The Vibes.
“If they do not want to return to the old days of BN’s dominance and arrogance, there is no other choice but to come together.
“They can either come as informal allies and contest in a strategic fashion, or lose it all,” said Wan Abdul Rahim, who is affectionately known as Cikgu Rahim here because he is an ex-educator.
The one-time confidante of the late PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said that both Bersatu and PAS in PN must also consider collaborating with PH.
“BN grew stronger because of our infighting. This is simple. There is no need to crack our heads. Even a Standard 6 pupil can fathom it.
“It is not just about voter turnout but our infighting, which allowed our rivals to win with pomp and splendour.”
He also drew on the possibility that PN and PH may contest as separate entities in the next election but work strategically in certain seats to deny BN from winning.
Following BN’s supermajority win yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was greeted with cries to call for a snap election as he entered the state BN headquarters to celebrate.
Meanwhile, former PKR senator Yusmadi Yusoff said that there is a need to rebrand PH and consider the 2008 formula where every party that disapproved of BN came together with one common purpose to reject how the country was governed.
“We are now living in more uncertainties than assurances. We need to have a formula, which injects confidence among the people that we are the best alternative. If we can unite for the sake of ensuring a better Malaysia, then the people may accept us,” he said.
Yusmadi said that elections have become emotive where voters can accept leaders who are found guilty of corruption.
This does not augur well, and one wonders if the rule of law can survive the politics of hatred and disillusionment, he added – The Vibes, March 13, 2022
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