An understanding, a compact or just an electoral pact? The repercussions of partnering with PAS — Phar Kim Beng

Malaysian politics frequently employs phrases like "understanding," "cooperation," "compact" and "electoral pact," but these terms carry distinct meanings. An understanding can be informal; an electoral pact may be temporary and transactional; a political compact implies shared principles, mutual obligations and a vision for power utilization after elections. This becomes crucial when PAS, especially Hadi-led PAS, is involved.

Partnering with PAS, whether as an understanding, a compact or an electoral pact, carries ramifications that extend beyond polling day. Electoral cooperation signifies political association, which establishes expectations that eventually translate into obligations. Once this process starts, a seemingly tactical agreement can acquire strategic consequences the original parties might not have envisioned, especially for Barisan Nasional when evaluating cooperation with Perikatan Nasional, where PAS remains influential.

The immediate electoral appeal is evident. In competitive Malay-Muslim constituencies, avoiding multi-cornered contests may seem mathematically advantageous. Consolidating votes can appear sensible. However, governing Malaysia involves more than electoral mathematics. The federation comprises diverse states, communities, economic interests and constitutional arrangements, notably Sabah and Sarawak, which carry historical and constitutional significance.

An electoral formula successful in one area cannot seamlessly transition into a national governing structure.

Cooperating with PAS introduces strategic consequences. PAS embodies a unique political worldview, leadership culture and understanding of the relationship between religion, society and government. While parties can cooperate with PAS, they must not assume such collaboration will remain politically neutral. Reputational consequences arise when political entities repeatedly campaign together, defend one another and ask voters to support each other's candidates.

Voters begin treating them as politically connected, making it challenging to maintain the pretense that PAS's influence will be minimal.

Bargaining power also increases with PAS involvement. Each seat gained by a partner enhances that partner's leverage after an election. If PAS becomes indispensable to a government's formation, its influence extends beyond ministries. The government may find it difficult to survive without PAS's support, creating significant leverage and potential challenges. This dynamic can shift the political center without formal constitutional changes, necessitating continuous consideration of PAS's potential demands and concessions.

Sabah and Sarawak present additional complexities. Political forces in these regions have their own constituencies, regional interests, and interpretations of federalism. Any Peninsula-based coalition must recognize that Malaysia cannot be governed as if Borneo were an afterthought. A governing formula perceived as dominated by one ideological perspective on Malay-Muslim politics might face substantial resistance in East Malaysia. The strategic implications of such a reality are profound.

Governmental stability is another critical factor. An electoral pact demands discipline leading up to an election, and governance demands discipline continuously thereafter. Coalition partners must agree on budgets, legislation, appointments, economic priorities, education, federal-state relations, foreign policy, and numerous administrative decisions.

Disagreements are inevitable, and managing them is crucial. If walking away, boycotting proceedings, or publicly repudiating coalition partners becomes an accepted tactic, each disagreement could become a test of government survival. An alliance could evolve into a permanent negotiation conducted under pressure, potentially undermining stability.

Finally, political moderation faces challenges. Malaysia’s middle ground is broader than any single party's membership, encompassing Malays seeking respect for Islam without perpetual confrontation, Chinese and Indians desiring equal security in the federation, Sabahans and Sarawakians protecting their constitutional position, businesses demanding predictability, young Malaysians seeking opportunities, and ordinary families concerned with wages, housing, education, and living costs.

Cooperation with PAS may lead another party to adopt PAS's political vocabulary to maintain the partnership, potentially reshaping the coalition's political landscape. For BN, PN, and other political entities contemplating cooperation with PAS, distinguishing between an understanding, a compact, and an electoral pact is essential.