PH divided over Melaka polls alliances, says analyst

Divergent views within Pakatan Harapan over the need to form alliances for the Melaka state election signal division among components, which could test the coalition’s unity at the polls next month, says an analyst.

Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the PH leadership would need to manage these different views wisely, as some appear adamant on the coalition contesting on its own while others push for electoral pacts.

Syaza said DAP in particular seem set on PH going solo, and, unlike its coalition partners, was opposed to a pact with former component, Bersatu.

Melaka DAP’s leaders did not attend a recent dinner between state PKR, Amanah and Bersatu leaders.

“These differences could prevent PH from presenting a united front for the state election, but I believe the central PH leadership can resolve them,” she told FMT.

On Wednesday, Melaka DAP chief Khoo Poay Tiong announced that Pakatan Harapan will contest the state election independently, with no pact struck either with Bersatu or the other coalitions.

Khoo, the Melaka PH deputy chairman, said all three components had agreed at the state level to go solo, adding that the state chapter will explain its stand to the coalition’s central leadership “to get feedback”.

Previously, central Amanah leader Khalid Samad said PH was open to working with any party except Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in the Melaka polls.

However, PH election director Amirudin Shari and state Amanah chief Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat dismissed the statement as Khalid’s personal view.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari had also said that the coalition was in the final stages of talks to form a “PH Plus” alliance with other parties, including Bersatu.

Syaza saw DAP’s refusal to work with Bersatu as a matter of principle, given the role that the party and its current leaders, especially party president Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Azmin Ali, played in the collapse of the PH-led federal government in 2020.

“Many PH grassroots members and supporters may find it difficult to accept cooperating with Bersatu, while the central leadership is expected to respect the stand taken by the state chapter,” she said.

On the other hand, Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Shafezah Abdul Wahab viewed PH’s differing stands on alliances as merely strategic differences, and unlikely to escalate into division.

Shafezah said the state leadership would be more acquainted with Melaka’s political realities and voter sentiments, though the top leadership would weigh the bigger factor of preparing for the next general election.

“The question is how much room would the central leadership give Melaka PH to decide on the strategies for the state polls.”

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.