THE small political parties in the country are looking forward to contesting the 15th general election as they believe they can make a difference in the political climate.

They believe that in the current landscape, they can provide an alternative for voters. Those who had pegged their fortunes to established parties over the years are hoping their loyalty may see them rewarded with seats in the next election.

Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi agreed that small parties are still relevant in that they emphasise the fact that there is still room for democracy in this country “even when they are going up against big giants such as Barisan Nasional or Perikatan Nasional”.

He said, however, that their chances of winning are slim, unless there is a political miracle, when (for example) a top candidate is found to be ineligible due to technical problems.

Awang Azman said some of them have tied up with the big political parties as they still haven’t shown their performance and capabilities.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said while these smaller parties are relevant, their chances of winning are debateable.

“It’s difficult for them to win because the political trend is different in the peninsula (compared) to Sabah.

“Here, voters are focused on the big party’s identity and it is a motivation for them.”

He said if there is no collaboration with the big parties, then the small parties’ chances are slim.

“It will be difficult for them to get seats. The tussle for seats between the big parties is already very competitive.

“If they (big parties) give seats to other parties, then this will cause unrest (from within).”

Minor parties have to be visible if they are to be relevant among voters, by carrying out a variety of programmes, for example.

Local base

Political scientist Prof Wong Chin Huat said the smaller players can build a local base and win one or two seats.

“In the fragmented politics we are in now, five small parties with one parliamentary seat (MIC, SUPP, PBRS, PBS and STAR) have got a minister-level envoy or a deputy minister’s post.

“However, if you don’t have a local base to get enough votes to elect at least one parliamentarian, you are bound to be buried not long after the elections.”

He said realistically, the minor parties should assess themselves.

“If they just talk about their ideals but refuse or fail to work on ground to build a local base, they would likely be one of the many small parties that came and went and are now completely forgotten.”

Chin said there are only three ways these parties can survive in Malaysia.

“First, build a local stronghold for your party or yourself. Second, get big parties to give you a seat. Third, push for a change in the electoral system so you can gather your votes to be counted nationally and be rewarded a proportional size of seats.”

However, International Islamic University lecturer Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said in the current context, small parties don’t have much relevance.

“If they want to be (relevant), they have to align themselves with larger, more established ones.

“Realistically, none has any chance if they contest in GE15 on their own. The only hope is if they’re in a larger coalition and get nominated in some constituencies.

“Then again, they would probably be given seats where the chances of winning are not assured.”

What theparties say

The Malaysian Insight spoke to several parties itching to contest in the next general election.

Makkal Sakti (MS) founder and president R.S. Thanenthiran said the party never stopped serving the people even after Barisan Nasional lost in GE14.

“Even when other component parties pulled out, we made a firm decision to align with BN.

“We knew that PH won’t last long, as they couldn’t fulfil their manifesto and this upset the people.”

Thanenthiran also said the party is going to contest in GE15, aiming for three federal and seven state seats.

“Even Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno president) said publicly at the last by-election in Slim that Makkal Sakthi will be given seats.”

He said the party has more than 90,000 members, of which at least about 80% are youths.

Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) vice-president Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz said his party has already identified potential areas to contest in GE15.

“We are targeting less than 50 parliamentary and state seats nationwide,” he said, adding that he would challenge Amanah’s Khalid Samad in Shah Alam.

The party supports neither PH nor PN.

“We are an independent party. The roots of our survival are in championing the Malay cause.”

Putra has 10,000 members nationwide.

Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCS) president Huan Cheng Guan said this BN-friendly party is all geared up for the next GE.

“Of course, we are planning to contest. For any political party they can say they have millions of members. But talk is one thing and doing is another.

“We will request for 10 seats. Of course, all the good seats will be taken by Umno, MCA and MIC.”

The party was registered in 2013 and they have about 5,000 members nationwide.

Indian Muslims Congress (Kimma) secretary-general Hussein Jamal Mohamed said the party has been around since 1976 and has been affiliated with Umno since 2011.

“The party aims to help Malaysians who are in need. We give them aid, education and also during the pandemic, we provided essentials for many families.”

As for GE15, he said that they had requested for a few parliamentary and state seats.

“We are asking for two parliamentary and three state seats. Even if we get a single seat, we will ensure that we win.”

He said that they will continue to support Muafakat Nasional and that they currently have 142,000 members nationwide.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is, undoubtedly, the largest among the smaller parties.

PSM chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar said “while we are independent, we are more predisposed to Pakatan Harapan because the other side (BN) is about race and money politics.”

The party will definitely be contesting but as for the seats and areas, that will be decided by the central leadership.

He said currently, the party is focusing on helping those who are marginalised, who don’t have homes and need aid.

He said the party has been growing since its registration in 2008 and currently has 4,000 members. – October 4, 2020.