PAKATAN Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) are upbeat about the state polls after their unity government convention last weekend but admitted more work needs to be done to create a strong front against Perikatan Nasional (PN).

They told The Malaysian Insight that the cooperation among party leaders at the convention last Sunday had sent a positive message and now it was time for the grassroots to do its bit. 

Last week, the unity government held its first convention at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Themed “Madani – Mewajahi Masa Depan Malaysia (Madani – Envisaging Malaysia’s Future)”, the highlight of the convention was addressed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is chairman of the unity government secretariat.

Never before in the history of the country had so many leaders and delegates representing almost the entire political spectrum gathered and spoken in Dewan Merdeka, a location so intimately associated with Umno. 

Among them were political heavyweights such as PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman Abang Johari Openg and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor. 

Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam told The Malaysian Insight the party will now translate the understanding between top leaders to state leaders, division and followed by branches. 

He said this may take some time but is important to eliminate old animosity between supporters of both coalitions.  

“The cooperation between party leaders is now very good. We want grassroots leaders to adequately convey this to their members for better understanding.

“This however needs time because we want this cooperation to be accepted without any suspicious feeling among us, no grudges. We do not want to speak about old stories. 

“We want everyone to find a common ground. All must play a role to achieve this goal. Only with a clear understanding can we achieve victory. 

“We may not get 100% (understanding) in the state polls but we can be more solid for the 16th general election,” said Lokman.

Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar believed the convention had put an end to PN’s endless accusations that Anwar’s administration would soon fall.

He said the convention has restored faith among voters, including grassroots members in both PH and BN.

“Entering the state elections, PN won’t be able to use the same narrative it has been using all this while to say PH is going to collapse. 

“The confidence is there and the people are able to evaluate. As for the grassroots, we are working towards that direction. This weekend, Kedah will have its own unity government convention. 

“This is also another proof we are working towards a united front between parties in PH and BN,” said the former Pokok Sena lawmaker. 

Former Ampang PKR division chief Daing Muhammad Reduan Bachok on the other hand said the cooperation between PH and BN is relatively new but is showing positive signs.

He said with the convention, the understanding between both coalitions is now compact. 

“This working together between us and Umno or BN is going very well. For example in Ampang we just had our own Raya open house and members from Umno came. It was a good gesture plus we were able to get to know each other better. 

“In terms of the state elections, there is a new dynamic. We are now compact, stronger than before and going to the polls, we can do better,” he said.

Good cooperation won’t necessarily translate into votes

Meanwhile, for observers, the PH and BN’s show of unity and trust during last week’s unity government convention, won’t necessarily translate into votes.

They said although the convention was a success, PH and BN will still need to find a formula to persuade voters, including grassroots members, to work together.

They also said PH and BN must show they are able to work together at Malay-majority seats, especially in the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said the ties that bind PH and BN were not strong.

He added that BN has to also prove the coalition is still relevant among the Malays.

“It is still a loose relationship, there is no written agreement and I am sceptical this cooperation can be translated into votes. 

“There is more pressure on BN. They need to show they are still relevant especially with Malay voters. In the last election the Malays voted for PN. 

“From 100 Malay-majority seats, Umno won only 26 while PN won 74,” said Hisommudin.

He added that based on Ilham’s research, hardcore Umno supporters are still reluctant to support PH due to Umno’s failure to properly explain why they chose to accept Anwar Ibrahim and DAP.

“There is also this dilemma in Umno supporters about backing Anwar and DAP. For PH supporters, there is no major issue about accepting BN, but for Umno the narrative of no Anwar no DAP has yet to be properly explained. 

“Umno supporters need answers – something clear and easy to understand – on why Umno chose Anwar and DAP,” he said. 

Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia felt that PH and BN will have no problem defending Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang but both coalitions need to show its mettle in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

He described the convention as a success but insisted the unity government must show confidence going into the elections, noting that PN has a strong Malay base.

“I thought it was a success and it was fast that they could accept each other. The show of accepting one another can convince voters including fence sitters that this government can function. 

“To win in urban or semi-urban seats is not a problem but in hardcore Malay areas, it would be hard. They can secure more seats if they can find a formula. It is important to show confidence and I think voters can see the government is functioning,” he added. – May 21, 2023.