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PETALING JAYA: Just under a year ago, three Malaysian-based parties, excited about the prospect of leading a Malaysian-based government, came together in an attempt to unite the Malays. They reached dizzying heights when the “Sheraton Move” took power in Putrajaya, but the euphoria only lasted four to five months.
Political experts say the clashes began when Umno, PPBM and PAS began negotiations for seats for the upcoming general elections (GE15).
“They realized that if Umno asked for more seats in Kelantan, PAS would ask for more seats in Kedah. The more each side gives in, the more unhappy the members of the line will be, ”a source from Perikatan Nasional told FMT.
Despite the odds, all three parties managed to complete their negotiations on the majority of seats. But the dissatisfaction remained.
“The main disappointment came from the fact that each side questioned why they had to give in to the other. All three want to be kings, or even kings, in GE15. There seems to be a trust deficit between them, ”he said.
Distrust led the PAS to be courted by both Umno and PPBM, one with grassroots support and the other in positions of power.
In its quest to be part of the country’s administration, PAS would work with any party in power, the source said. The PAS can support the PPBM for now, but things may change once Parliament is dissolved. “Then they can go back to Umno, which has grassroots support, not PPBM,” he added.
Another source from Barisan Nasional (BN) said that Umno and PPBM felt stuck in this tripartite system.
“Members of Umno question the need to give in to PPBM when they can rule the country on their own. As for PPBM, their image as the leader of the ruling coalition would be at stake if they fail to win seats. They need PAS (to deliver the votes), ”said the BN source.
The idealistic goals of a tripartite Malaysian coalition might not last. “PAS will eventually return to Umno to woo Malays,” he added.
Fluency in Perak
A member of Perak BN told the FMT that many members of his party were not happy with the outgoing Perak menteri kissing Ahmad Faizal Azumu, for alleged non-compliance. It led to the motion of confidence in the state assembly last Friday to remove Faizal.
“The goal was to get the support of PAS to name a new kissing mind. But it was a shock to Umno when PAS initially did not support them after Ahmad Faizal was removed from office, ”he said.
That prompted Umno to make a brazen move to open discussions with the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) on the formation of the state government.
The agreement would have been a trust and supply agreement, for PH to support Barisan Nasional in the approval of bills in the state assembly, but without holding positions.
PAS was scared, and on December 6, the party told Umno that they would support BN and unite the three Malaysia-based parties. Since then, intense discussions have continued. “The situation in Perak remains fluid,” he added.
