ALL opposition parties should join forces under an electoral agreement to take on Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in one-on-one fights, Amanah strategic director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. 

The Kuala Selangor MP told The Malaysian Insight that by strengthening the opposition into a collective opposing front, it can give Umno and BN a run for their money. 

“If we want to deny Umno and BN victory in the 15th general election (GE15), we have to craft an electoral approach that could realise a one-on-one kind of contest. 

“Together as a ‘collective opposition front’, we should forge this winning strategy and immediately start preparing.

“The overarching objective is to save the nation from further destruction from Umno-BN’s kleptocracy and abuse of power. Only through an effective government and vibrant institutions of check and balance will we be able to serve the rakyat efficiently,” the former health minister said.

His argument was an extension of his party’s “big tent” approach to get all the opposition parties together. However, such an approach had not found support among the opposition parties. 

Dzulkefly said a one-on-one fight would prove to be a better option for the voters in the upcoming elections, claiming it would be easier for the rakyat to make their choice, adding that parties should listen to the expectations of the public if they are really fighting for the latter’s cause. 

With Pakatan Harapan (PH) being the central thrust of the opposition, Dzulkefly said it can rope in as many parties as possible to reach an electoral understanding, as long as it aspires to achieve the same objectives for the nation.

Perikatan has to decide 

Dzulkefly said the Muhyiddin Yassin-led Perikatan Nasional (PN) must decide with whom they will stand. There must not be any ambiguity anymore, he added.

“I know that there are many who still harbour grudges, contempt and even malice for the betrayal that they have perpetrated against us before. 

“But PH should also move on because there is no time for lamenting. There is no point lamenting over spilt milk…it is water under the bridge. You’ve got to move on strongly, together now.

“Whoever the enemy we want to bring down, if it is BN and Umno, let’s get some form of electoral understanding to bring them down.

“If PN so decides to be part of it, then be it. But does PN want to be part of Umno-BN? PN has to answer that question,” he added.

Dzulkefly said the electoral understanding between all opposition parties would benefit the people. 

“We have to stop quarrelling. At the end of the day, it is not about you, your party, your coalition or members. 

“It is about the rakyat. If you truly represent the rakyat, listen to them. 

“It is all about the nation. The nation needs to be rebuilt and the people need to be given a chance to have a life worthy of shared prosperity, free from all discrimination, religious, race, whatever.”

Dzulkefly also said they are running out of time, and that such matters should be resolved immediately as elections might be around the corner. 

“You can see what happened in Malacca, Johor and even Sarawak. So we have had enough wake up calls, enough reminders from the rakyat.

“Time is not with us. Already we are too late. We have spent so much time talking about big tents or whatever. Move on and get it done soonest. 

Dzulkefly also urged that the anti-party hopping law be passed urgently so voters will not be betrayed again.

“We have to get the anti-hopping bill passed. We want to make sure this will be a new hope, a new deal for the rakyat to at least come out and vote. 

“We have the fear now that they may refuse to vote because they are so disgusted and harbour distrust against us (politicians).

Be ready to give up seats

Dzulkefly was quick to point out that the main stumbling block in his proposed electoral understanding is the issue of seat allocation.

He said to ensure a one-on-one battle is a success, all parties must be ready to negotiate and share seats.

“I’m reminding Amanah and PH. If truly we want to see a one-on-one contest, all of us must exercise restraint and tact to ensure that everyone has a fair and equitable share of seats.

“I’m saying fair, not equal. So, with that the likeliness of a working relationship and more importantly forging collective teamwork and leadership can be meaningfully achieved,” he said.

Dzulkefly said parties might not get to contest in the same number of seats they contested in GE14, but called for the incumbent seats to be at least maintained as a starting point for negotiation. 

“As to how many Amanah can contest, you know we had 34 seats in GE14. We have 11 incumbent seats now. So realistically some logical number or formula can be chalked out based on the number of political parties in the collective opposition front. 

“The first principle in all our negotiations: we parties are allowed to retain our incumbent seats. 

“So, everyone has to be restrained and always look at the bigger picture and objectives as our guiding consideration. 

“Seat distribution has always been one of our downfalls in coalition building. We must avoid that pitfall of self-inflicted failure at all costs. We do it at our own peril,” he added. – June 3, 2022.