Will DAP have to drop rivalry with PAS to win Sungai Besar?

Question

Accepted Answer

DAP May Need to Set Aside Rivalry with PAS for Sungai Besar Victory

Analysts suggest that to improve their chances of winning the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat, Pakatan Harapan, and specifically DAP, may need to set aside their rivalry with PAS. This strategic consideration arises from the need to avoid multi-cornered fights, which are seen as detrimental to the opposition's prospects, especially following their performance in the recent Sarawak elections. The core argument is that opposition parties must prioritize unity and compromise to challenge Barisan Nasional effectively, even if it means accommodating PAS in constituencies it traditionally contests.
Avoiding Three-Cornered Fights is Crucial

The consensus among observers is that Pakatan Harapan must avoid repeating the mistakes observed in the Sarawak state elections, where internal disagreements and a lack of seat negotiation led to clashes between coalition partners like DAP and PKR in six constituencies. Dr. Ooi Kee Beng of ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute advises that the pact needs to regroup and stand united, even if the primary goal is merely to limit Barisan Nasional's margin of victory. A significant win for BN, he posits, could embolden the ruling coalition to call for a snap general election.
PAS's Traditional Hold on Contested Seats

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia associate professor Dr. Faisal Hazis highlights that Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar have historically been contested by PAS. He suggests that DAP should allow PAS to contest these seats, as fielding a party like Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) would likely result in defeat. Dr. Faisal explains that PAS possesses a stronger brand recognition and a more established ground presence among rural voters in these specific constituencies compared to the newer Amanah party.
Competing Agendas and Party Images

While the strategic imperative points towards cooperation, internal party dynamics present obstacles. Dr. Oh Ei Sun notes that self-serving agendas might prevent the opposition from avoiding three-cornered contests. He elaborates that DAP needs to maintain its image and appeal within the Chinese community, which may be perceived as being at odds with cooperating with PAS, particularly given PAS's stance on certain issues. Conversely, PAS has its own imperatives to contest seats it considers its traditional territory.
The Unstrategic Reality of By-Elections

Despite the clear strategic disadvantages, analysts believe that the by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar are likely to devolve into three-cornered fights. Dr. Faisal suggests that if Pakatan Harapan fails to learn from past missteps, such as the unstrategic moves seen in the Sarawak elections, the coalition could face collapse. The outcome of the 11th Sarawak elections, which saw a landslide victory for BN and significant losses for the opposition, serves as a stark warning of the consequences of disunity.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Will DAP have to drop rivalry with PAS to win Sungai Besar?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends