Wawasan perlu ruang pengaruhi dasar PN, kata penganalisis

Analysts say the Perikatan Nasional (PN) needs to give the Wawasan Negara (Wawasan) party space to influence the base and the combined narrative, in order to win the Putrajaya seat through legal and moral approaches. Tawfik Yaakub from University Malaya (UM) stated that Wawasan must have its own political voice to build a distinct identity apart from other PN components.

He also emphasized that the party's principles based on morality and law must be translated into clear-cut ground offers on issues closest to the people, such as affordable living, job opportunities, housing, education, and governance. "If Wawasan wants to attract simple voters, PN must give the party real space to form the base and combined narrative," he told FMT.

UM Executive Director Saifuddin Abdullah had previously stated on August 28 that Wawasan aims to win in Putrajaya through a legal and moral approach. Wawasan is a rebranding of Cinta Malaysia (PCM) after the Malaysia Social Organizations Registration Department (JPPM) approved the name, logo, and charter change on July 6. The party was also accepted as one of PN's components.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi noted that Wawasan has the potential to become a channel for PN to approach simple Malay voters, professionals, young urban residents, and a portion of non-Malay voters. However, he warned that Wawasan needs to prove its separate identity and not just serve as a 'simple face' for PN. He added that the party faces the challenge of bringing a simpler and more open approach into a coalition that also includes PAS, a party with a strong association with Malay-Islam politics.

"Nevertheless, this difference can be managed if Wawasan has space to influence the core and direction of PN, rather than just being an add-on component. 'Wawasan must have differentiation without contradiction. If PN's rhetoric or base is more determined by the dominant component, Wawasan's identity will easily be submerged,' he said.