DR MAHATHIR Mohamad’s new party will face an uphill battle in a crowded field of Malay political outfits unless it works with Pakatan Harapan, said analysts.

As it stands, they said, the party, which has yet to be named, does not have the support of non-Malay voters, which make up a third of the electorate.

However, it could still leech support from conservative Malays due to Dr Mahathir’s legendary status in the community, particularly among older voters.

Dr Mahathir has historically been able to make a splash in the Malaysian political landscape even without a party, such as when he campaigned against former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said the political scientists.

If his new outfit can work with PH and Parti Warisan Sabah in the coming months, the opposition front may be able to regain the conservative Malay support it lost to the ruling Perikatan Nasional.

“It is not wise to write him off as he has tremendous experience, and sympathisers and former colleagues who have deep admiration for him,” said Ibrahim Suffian, executive director of Merdeka Centre.

“This appeal goes beyond the current veneer of politics, where there are politicians who dislike him.”

Dr Mahathir’s party is emerging at a time when Malaysians are reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, the abrupt change in government in February and an economic recession, he said.

These are factors that will influence the amount of support that Dr Mahathir’s party, PH and PN will receive in the event a snap election is called in the next few months.

“In the short term, the party won’t have an organisational impact, as it is still new and does not have the structure, resources and members for an effective election machinery,” said Ibrahim.

“But, the party will have influence on the public psyche because at the end of the day, Dr Mahathir has acumen and perseverance to achieve his goals, and his only challenge is his age.”

Two days ago, Dr Mahathir announced the formation of a new party that will uphold Bersatu’s original values and put an end to corruption.

The party’s name and logo have yet to be decided, and Dr Mahathir said it will be independent of PN and PH.

This follows his failed attempt to wrest control of Bersatu from Muhyiddin Yassin in the run-up to the party elections and after the latter caused the downfall of the PH government in late February.

Muhyiddin left PH along with about 30 MPs, and formed the PN government with Umno, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Market saturation

It is still up in the air whether Dr Mahathir’s towering personality can translate into votes for the new party, said political scientist Dr Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

“It is going to be very difficult for the new party to get new voters because they are already saturated with so many.

“For Malay voters, they have Umno, PAS, Bersatu and PKR,” he said, adding that some of these, such as Umno and PAS, have roots going back decades in the community.

It is unlikely that a new party without the machinery and enough members will be able to make an impact in the polls, said Azmil.

In an election, Dr Mahathir’s party will need to stand out among smaller Malay outfits, such as Berjasa and Putra, said Universiti Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi.

“Dr Mahathir’s party has a slight advantage over the others because of his personality and the fact that it will have six MPs. But is this enough to stand out?

“It will have a better advantage if it teams up with PH. If not, it will be lost in a sea of Malay-based parties.

“Malays are more comfortable voting for either Umno, PAS or Amanah. Some will vote for PKR. Dr Mahathir’s new party looks like it is based more on personality and his aim to be prime minister again.”

A PH team-up will also ensure that the opposition vote is not split among multiple parties, he said.

Merdeka Centre’s Ibrahim said as of now, PN and Muhyiddin still have the advantage because of their management of the pandemic, but this can change. – August 9, 2020.