KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — The split between PAS and Bersatu following an internal crisis in Perikatan Nasional (PN), which led to the cancellation of the coalition’s registration, could weaken the opposition’s position in the Melaka state election campaign beginning on Oct 31, political analysts say.
Ilham Centre research fellow Mujibu Abd Muis said the opposition’s internal turmoil would affect coordination of election strategies, potentially leading to multi-cornered contests, a split in votes and candidates from opposition parties competing against one another.
He said PN’s deregistration raised questions about using a common identity and coordinating candidates, prompting PAS and Bersatu to reconsider their strategies for the state election.
“PAS may find it easier to campaign under its own identity because it has a strong organisational network and grassroots support. Nevertheless, this does not guarantee that it will retain all the support voters previously gave to PN.
“Without coordination, multi-cornered contests could lead to vote splitting, giving rival parties an advantage.
“The Melaka state election will test not only the strength of PAS and Bersatu, but also their ability to adjust their strategies in the wake of the split,” he told Bernama.
Mujibu, a senior political science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), said Bersatu faced a bigger immediate challenge in charting its political direction without relying on its strategic alliance with PAS.
He said Bersatu could either operate independently to preserve its political identity or seek new alliances, although both options posed risks to its long-term future.
“Bersatu may be able to maintain its political autonomy by flying solo, but autonomy without strategic partners could become an electoral liability,” he said.
He said the rift between PAS and Bersatu could also reshape the opposition’s political landscape, particularly in determining which party could inherit the influence and support previously consolidated under PN.
He said PAS was well placed to become a more dominant force within the opposition bloc, given its organisational capacity and grassroots reach, but it would need to prove itself by winning seats and attracting support beyond its existing base.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Datuk Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the crisis in PN could hasten a realignment among opposition parties, including changes to relations between PAS, Bersatu and other parties.
He said the possibility of an alternative coalition or a more flexible political alliance could not be discounted if the former BN component parties failed to restore their working relationship.
He said the approaching Oct 31 nomination day for the Melaka state election left PAS and Bersatu with little time to resolve uncertainties over party symbols, seat allocation and campaign coordination.
“The crisis could lead to former allies competing against one another, overlapping candidates and confusion among supporters if legal issues and political disagreements are not resolved quickly,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said PN’s deregistration would not automatically weaken the opposition, as PAS and Bersatu retained their respective organisational structures, grassroots networks and political influence.
The Registrar of Societies Malaysia (RoS) cancelled PN’s registration on Tuesday (Oct 20) under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966 after finding that the coalition’s explanation had failed to refute the grounds for cancellation set out in a notice dated Sept 22.
The decision came after an internal crisis within PN, when Bersatu submitted a formal complaint to RoS on Aug 11, alleging it had been barred from attending and participating in a PN Supreme Council meeting on July 16. — Bernama