Consolidation of Malay Muslim vote bank
Prior to GE14, the government of Malaysia was formed by BN, a coalition of multiple parties led by Umno. The other opposing parties were at best able to form governments at state level.
Post-GE 14, Umno and its splinter party turned foe, PAS formed the coalition of Muafakat Nasional and consolidated their support base – the majority Malay Muslim crowd.
The youngest party Bersatu – another Umno splinter – led by its chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS splinter party Amanah was part of the PH government.
After 22 months, the Sheraton Move by Gombak MP Azmin Ali led to the fall of PH as the federal government. A new government, Perikatan Nasional made up of Bersatu, Umno and PAS has been formed led by the newly minted prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin.
At present the Malay majority Amanah and PKR remain in PH.
If one were to look at the personalities that have steered Malaysia – Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Azmin and Muhyiddin – they all have one common feature: Umno.
All have started their political careers in Umno regardless of where they have ended up now.
Come GE15, there is clearly going to be a problem for Umno, PAS and Bersatu as the three are relying on the same vote bank to put them in the pedestal of power.
PAS and Umno would not opt to split the votes as the strategy deployed in the 14th general election was detrimental to both the parties.
The formation of Muafakat Nasional meanwhile has led to the disappearance of the opposition bench in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu and both the governments are firmly in the hands of PAS.
The best of way of defeating Pakatan Harapan in the next general election will be by mobilising the DAP the devil narrative.
Consolidation of the Malay Muslim vote bank can only happen in the event the current set of Malay Muslim parties merge into one.
Umno and PAS are already part of Muafakat Nasional. Bersatu under Muhyiddin is part of Perikatan Nasional.
Population wise the Malay Muslim community are the majority with the highest birth rate compared to the non-Malay communities.
Seat allocations in the prelude to the next general election is definitely going to be a delicate affair. The best option for the above-mentioned parties are to merge as one that champions Malays and Islam.
The new name for the merged Umno-PAS-Bersatu party is immaterial because all shares the same DNA: the Umno DNA.
Abang Misai is a columnist with The Leaders Online.
