WE often hear of urban voters blaming their rural counterparts for continuously voting in a corrupt Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN).

What the urban voters refuse to admit or understand is that Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) failure to win seats stems from a vacuum and lack of institution building among component parties at the intermediate leadership level.

Things started off as a one-issue affair, where the rakyat were mobilised on the basis of an ideological crusade – reforms and confrontational politics.

And it has continued pretty much along the same path throughout the years.

This is not to say PH was not effective in its immediate purpose but it did not develop permanent and stable institutional structures permeating various groups and areas within the coalition.

The lack of institution-building has led to a weak and constantly shifting voter base, which is reflected in the pact’s inability to instil loyalty.

On its own, none of the parties within PH appears capable of being an alternative to Umno.

Each has pockets of influence in particular areas or in some states. Each appears to have reached the stage of maximum growth in their present identity and format.

The only way out is to strengthen PH.

The shock suffered by the coalition in February 2020 needs to be corrected. The resultant drubbing in the Malacca and Johor elections have cast grave doubts on the efficacy of the coalition not only among its supporters but also among its partners.

In the wake of a string of election defeats, some have suggested a shift in approach to a big tent. There are proponents who deem this inescapable under prevailing circumstances.

PH refused to admit that when it won in 2018, it was due to widespread dissatisfaction against one person – the then prime minister.

Even when it was in power for two years, PH has always played a reactive rather than a directing role. This has resulted in Umno still holding the trump card when it comes to policy initiatives and political offensives.

This has greatly affected the legitimacy of PH as a credible alternative to Umno/BN.

PH needs to project itself as a youthful pact, now that voters aged 18 can cast their ballots. For far too long, older politicians have occupied top positions no new and young blood are able to rise up.

Yes, in their recent DAP and PKR party elections, some new and young faces were, giving the impression that both are sincere and wants to change their image with the hope of attracting new people. One can only hope that this will be a sustained and continuous effort by both parties for more youthful leaders to play a more forceful and credible role in both parties.

PH’s credibility as a credible alternative to Umno cannot be built on stray issues, which may help momentarily, but are unsustainable in the long term.

Identify issues over which programmatic debates can be raised.

On the economic front price hikes, deficit financing, stagnant industrial production, the size of the 12th Malaysia Plan and its links to the country’s resource mobilisation capacity, the new economic model with a particular emphasis on the digital economy, the return of agriculture in relationship to our food security – to name a few.

PH must formulate a clear stand and explain to the rakyat in both urban and rural areas, on the relative merits and demerits of various policy alternatives on these issues.

On the political front there are issues such as political funding, separation of the role and powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.

What PH needs is a judicious and imaginative approach to select the most salient and fundamental issues and initiate progressive debates that will allow it generate optimum exposure and interest among the rakyat.

While elections and politics are important, PH needs to look further in educating people politically.

There have been many complaints and comments from the rakyat about the impossibility of meeting or seeking help from their representatives from PH especially in seats where lawmakers have been serving for three terms or more. There are claims of MPs avoiding those who voted for them

Only sustained work among the people can give strength and vitality to the coalition and the parties within.

The road ahead for PH will be arduous but the stakes are equally staggering too.

Can PH rise to the occasion? – August 1, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.