The much-awaited Negeri Sembilan state election is finally done and dusted, leaving Pakatan Harapan defeated and devastated.
But seriously, was there any doubt at all that the BN-PN juggernaut would roll over virtually everything in its path and secure a thumping victory?
True, unlike Johor, it wasn't a complete landslide. Still, they managed to topple two supposedly invincible giants—an incumbent Menteri Besar from PKR and DAP's very own secretary-general.
For the record, PH emerged as the net loser, securing only 11 seats (down from 17), while both BN and PN increased their shares to 18 and 7 respectively (up from 14 and 5 earlier).
Surely, the message couldn’t have been any louder or clearer.
The thing is, if Negeri Sembilan can fall, what guarantee is there that neighbouring Selangor won't be next—and eventually Penang too?
The math is as simple as it gets—and nobody seems to have understood it better than PAS, the kingpin of PN.
After all, is it not a numbers game, and haven't they struck a simple, winning formula?
No need to crack their heads over the nation's economy. No need for any complicated reform agenda!
Critics will also allege that it is what the much-hyped “Ummah Unity” narrative is all about too while doubling up as a convenient cover-up for identity politics.
In short, with the Blue Wave merging with the Green Wave to form a massive tidal wave, will PH ever have enough numbers to withstand the combined onslaught?
As for the just-concluded state elections, reports indicate the result was attributable to a combination of factors, including declining support from non-Malay voters and PH’s inability to widen its appeal among Malay voters.
Clearly though, the main driver had to be the “cooperation” between BN and PN, which helped to consolidate Malay support. Supporters from both sides accepted the arrangement, while crucially, previously undecided Malay voters seemed comfortable with the political collaboration.
But beyond that, wasn't it yet another indictment of Anwar's chronic inability to win over the Malay majority, despite all his fervent—and at times, over-the-top—attempts?
In fact, PH’s support among Malay voters has remained largely unchanged since the 2022 general election, with the coalition still struggling to break through the 20% mark.
Still, the coalition's challenges were not limited to the Malay electorate; overall, it also saw a decline among non-Malay voters, who have traditionally been its strongest support base.
Meanwhile, support among Indian voters, including those who had previously backed DAP, also appeared to have weakened significantly.
Anwar’s Tamil cinema showmanship skills and last-minute appeals to forgive past blunders and oversights also failed to work this time.
It was all too little, too late as the train had long left the station!
Nevertheless, Anwar still holds a trump card: launching a fresh electoral redelineation exercise to ensure a fairer distribution of seats, especially in densely populated urban areas that remain severely underrepresented. This could prove to be advantageous to his coalition in future elections since its core supporters are known to be urbanites.
For sure, he and his lieutenants in PKR, DAP and Amanah are aware of this. So, why aren't they pressing on with this potential lifeline?
If for whatever reason, they continue to drag their feet on this, and should PN come to power, wouldn't PAS be tempted to capitalise on it?
For Hadi's ambitious party, wouldn't that be too good a chance to pass up—an opportunity to lock up the country's destiny, and then throw away the key?
Should that happen, it will effectively be game over for Anwar and PH. But more importantly, the fate of millions of non-Malays in this country would be left hanging in the balance.
Having lived for decades under multiracial governments, how will they cope with a prospective “PAS-style” Malay-Muslim administration?
For now, BN may be happy to let PN tumpang (piggyback) on its relentless advance toward Putrajaya. But how long can the nationalist party accommodate its sly “lovestruck” partner?
Already there are rumblings in Negeri Sembilan following the appointment of a new Menteri Besar by the state ruler which seemed to have riled up some dissatisfied quarters in PN.
BN and PN may be floating together on “cloud nine” now, but the sun rarely shines 365 days a year. What happens when the inevitable dark clouds and thunder roll in?
The question here is: is BN, with its trademark impatience and well-known craving for dominance, truly prepared for the long game?
As for PAS, the main powerbroker in PN, it has nothing to lose and all to gain from any political pact with the rejuvenated nationalist party.
So with BN seemingly in its pocket, and a two-thirds majority in Parliament firmly in its sights, it seems a foregone conclusion that the Islamist party will go all out for the jugular. Moreover, hasn't the red carpet already been rolled out for it—courtesy of UMNO, MCA, and their merry men?
Main information source: The Vibes.
JK Joseph (jtkingsworld@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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