Jika mahu sekat PAS, PH perlu bekerjasama dengan Bersatu, kata penganalisis

Politikus Azmin Ali mengatakan Bahawa Pakatan Harapan (PH) Harus Bekerja Bersama Bersatu Untuk Mencegah Peningkatan Pengaruh PAS Di Selangor

According to political analyst Azmi Hassan, Pakatan Harapan (PH) requires collaboration with Bersatu, particularly the network of former Selangor Chief Ministers, led by Azmin Ali, to curb the growing influence of PAS and maintain the state. Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Academy noted that PH is no longer as strong as it once was in Selangor, and mentioned that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has prevented such a coalition from achieving a 2/3 majority during the 2023 PRN.

During that time, PN won 22 out of the 56 DUN seats, with 12 for Bersatu and 10 for PAS, while PH secured 34 seats, falling short of the required 38 seats for a 2/3 majority. This marked a significant decline for PH, which had won 51 seats in the 2018 general elections. PAS had previously secured Selangor in the 2008 general elections from BN, and the partnership between PH and Bersatu has become more relevant as PAS identifies Selangor as a stepping stone to Putrajaya.

PAS and Bersatu are part of PN, but PAS decided to have a political partnership with Bersatu starting in June. Azmin's achievement in PN's strong performance in PRN 2023 was not solely due to PAS's support. PAS was aided by Bersatu, especially Azmin, who is a close associate of the party. As a former Chief Minister, Azmin is closely associated with Selangor politics, according to Azmi Hassan of the FMT.

Therefore, PH has a solid reason to work closely with Bersatu, or specifically, with Azmin, to strengthen its position in Selangor. Thus, I believe it is highly reasonable for PH to closely collaborate with Bersatu and Azmin, or in this case, Azmin's office. Azmi Hassan believes that PH-Bersatu cooperation would benefit both parties.

He noted that Bersatu is no longer capable of functioning independently, making cooperation with a more influential group a necessity. Meanwhile, PH needs a political party capable of winning Malay votes. Last week, Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad, chief political advisor to Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari, said his party is open to cooperating with any party committed to stability, development, and the welfare of the people.

Coming from Mazlan Ali, a professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, the prospects of a PH-Bersatu pact have been strengthened by PAS's decision to stop cooperating with Bersatu. Bersatu is currently determining a new political direction, and the best option at the moment is to join PH. Mazlan Ali stated that Bersatu's inability to move forward on its own makes collaboration with PH increasingly likely.

He added that the political developments in Johor and Negeri Sembilan have opened up space for PH-Bersatu collaboration. PH suffered significant losses in the PRN Johor election on July 11 and the PRN Negeri Sembilan election on August 1. Meanwhile, Mazlan Ali noted that the conflict with PAS has weakened Bersatu's position. This means that it has limited options if it wants to rebuild its strength, particularly in Selangor. Collaboration with a stronger coalition could ensure the continuation of the Malay party, he said.