PH-BN alliance faces grassroots pressure ahead of GE16 – analysts
KUALA LUMPUR: The political ground is shifting beneath the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) partnership, with recent state election setbacks exposing the two coalition partners’ contrasting fortunes and raising questions over whether their cooperation can survive beyond the current term.
The political alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) is facing increasing pressure from grassroots supporters ahead of the 2016 general election, according to analysts. The coalition's partnership has been strained by recent state election setbacks for PH heavyweights, particularly in Johor and Negri Sembilan, where BN secured majority victories.
BN's strong showing in these states has raised questions about the coalition's long-term viability, with some analysts suggesting that BN and PN may deepen their electoral cooperation, especially in Malay-majority constituencies. Dr Ariff Aizuddin Azlan, a political analyst, believes that the PH-BN partnership remains fragile, with growing grassroots pressure to work with PN likely to become increasingly difficult for PH leadership to ignore.
Dr Mazlan Ali, an associate professor, noted that anti-DAP sentiment among BN supporters could complicate efforts to extend the partnership into the next general election. However, he suggested that seat negotiations between PH and BN might be easier than those between BN and PN, given their traditionally different support bases.
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri warned that PH would face a significant challenge in competing with a potential BN-PN alliance for Malay votes, emphasizing the need for PH to address dissatisfaction among its supporters and strengthen its grassroots machinery.
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