PARTI Bangsa Malaysia’s (PBM) request to work together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Selangor elections is unlikely to be met, pundits said.

“I don’t expect the request to be entertained,” Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) professor of political science Jayum Jawan said

Jawan said PBM president Larry Sng has nothing to bring to the table.

Sng, he said, is a small player and “not that important” in the scheme of things.

Describing Sng’s request as an “opportunistic” move, Jawan said its sole objective was to strengthen the chances of PBM’s two assemblymen, Haniza Mohamed Talha (Lembah Jaya) and Daroyah Alwi (Sementa) in the polls.

Haniza and Daroyah won their seats on a PKR ticket before they were sacked over their roles in the Sheraton Move.

That alone is enough for Pakatan to reject PBM’s proposal, said Jawan.

Voters had made their feelings clear about traitors and party-hoppers in the general election, he said in reference to former PKR deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali and vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddine, both of whom lost their seats..

“PKR has come of age now that its president is the prime minister,” he said.

“Admitting party hoppers would undermine PKR solidarity because party faithfuls will question the action.”

Last Saturday, Sng said on Facebook he had written a letter to PH leaders and the Selangor menteri besar to indicate PBM’s interest entering an electoral pact with PH in the Selangor elections.

He added: “PBM currently has two incumbent state seats, Sementa and Lembah Jaya”.

“I hope the good working relationship that PBM has with fellow component parties at the federal level can be extended to the state level as well. This is to ensure stability for the country moving forward.”

Universiti Malaya’s Malay politics expert, Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the inclusion of PBM into the fold will only hurt PH-Barisan Nasional’s chances in Selangor.

“PH faces a stiff challenge from PAS and Bersatu and Larry’s request is difficult to fulfil. PBM does not have a track record in Selangor,” he said.

Awang Azman said it would be more logical to strengthen the PH-BN election machinery rather than to enter into questionable partnership.

“IThe PH-BN partnership has a strong support base among the various ethnic groups in the urban and semi-urban seats.

Awang Azman also said PKR is unlikely to assist Haniza and Daroyah in the defence of their seats.

“PKR will find it hard to forgive them.”

He said Sng should focus on strengthening grassroots support to prepare for the elections. – January 19, 2023.