PH, Bersatu dilihat tidak mahu heboh kerjasama dalam PRN Melaka

Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Bersatu are believed to be avoiding a public display of cooperation in the PRN Melaka, a move observed by analysts as strategic, according to Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. This development is attributed to the strong opposition from DAP, which vehemently opposes working with Bersatu. PH and Bersatu reportedly have an understanding (that they will cooperate) although it has not been officially announced.

Mazlan highlights the positive relationship between Bersatu and the Anwar Ibrahim administration as evidence of this understanding. On October 29, the President of Bersatu, Muhiyiddin Yassin, and five other Bersatu MPs signed the Confidence and Capacities Agreement (CSA) with the government, agreeing to support the 2027 Budget and support the government until the end of the parliamentary term.

PH and Bersatu need each other to counterbalance the dominant Malay-Islam narrative championed by Umno and PAS, referencing the cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional. In PRN Melaka, PH fielded candidates in 24 seats while Bersatu contested in seven, winning three seats together. Prior to this, PH Returning Officer Amirudin Shari confirmed a deal with Bersatu, though Bersatu stated that PH has not disclosed further details on how PH will support Bersatu candidates in contested seats.

PH state leader Adly Zahari appeared to distance himself from cooperation with Bersatu, stating that Bersatu has its own plan for PRN Melaka while focusing on PH. However, he previously acknowledged that multi-cornered contests, including those involving Bersatu, could increase PH's chances of winning. Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid from Universiti Sains Malaysia notes that many influential figures in Bersatu, such as Azmin Ali, who hails from PKR, may still have some support in PH.

The Sheraton strategy remains sensitive to Fauzi, who believes it is a sensitive issue for PH, and why PH is not directly directing its support to Bersatu candidates. Directly instructing PH voters to support Bersatu in this election is considered too drastic, potentially leading to voter apathy and giving seats to BN-PN. Bersatu likely understands its need to rely on Malay nationalism to challenge BN-PN, and allowing Bersatu to contest is sufficient, according to Fauzi.