PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional has made a smart decision in choosing to play opposition to Pakatan Harapan and its allies in government, say analysts.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara called the PN decision a smart strategy, especially as this was the first time the country would have a unity government.
“Its previous indecisiveness on whether to be part of the government wasn’t good for its image considering that Anwar Ibrahim had already secured a majority (by accepting Barisan Nasional),” he told FMT.
Had PN joined the government, it would seem to be craving political mileage or Cabinet positions, Azmi said. PN had the potential to be an effective opposition and if it was good in this role, the public would take notice.
Earlier, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition would function as a check and balance to Anwar’s administration by being in the opposition rather than join the unity government.
PAS and its Islamic agenda
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said an inclusive government would be able to take into account everybody’s interests. However, a parliamentary system required robust opposition to curb abuse of power.
“Moreover, PAS makes up a quarter of the MPs (in the new Parliament) and will be able to push through its theocratisation agenda much more, even when in the opposition,” he said.
He pointed out that if PAS were to propose something along the lines of making the country more religiously aligned, it would be difficult for Muslim MPs on the other side of the political divide to resist.
“This is because they may be accused of being not pious enough. In any case, PAS will still be able to exert its influence and impact the direction of the country whether it’s in government or opposition,” he said.
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