As Pakatan Harapan (PH) prepares for its first convention in four years, the coalition finds itself confronting one of the most defining moments since forming the unity government in 2022.
What was once celebrated as a reform-driven alliance now faces mounting questions over its political identity, internal fractures, and its increasingly uneasy partnership with Barisan Nasional and United Malays National Organisation (Umno).
The convention in Johor Bahru on May 17, 2026 is expected to become more than just a routine gathering. Political observers believe it may determine whether PH can survive as a cohesive force heading into the next general election or whether the coalition is entering a slow unraveling phase.
Analysts say the biggest issue hanging over the convention is PH’s future relationship with Umno. Since joining forces after the 2022 general election, the partnership has often appeared fragile and transactional rather than ideological. Recent political tensions in Negeri Sembilan further exposed cracks within the alliance, reinforcing perceptions that cooperation between PH and Umno remains unstable despite sharing federal power.
Political analyst Syaza Shukri reportedly believes PH may ultimately adopt a more pragmatic strategy by allowing BN to contest independently in GE16 while maintaining post-election cooperation if necessary. Such a move would represent a major shift from earlier ambitions of presenting a united electoral front.
At the same time, PH chairman Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim faces growing pressure from within his own coalition. Democratic Action Party (DAP), long considered PH’s most stable and organised component, is increasingly restless over what supporters perceive as stalled reforms and political compromises. The party’s upcoming congress in July 2025 could become another flashpoint, especially as delegates debate whether DAP leaders should resign from government positions while continuing parliamentary support for Anwar’s administration.
The anxiety inside PH is not limited to DAP alone. Internal wounds within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) remain far from healed following the party elections that saw Nurul Izzah Anwar defeat Dato' Seri Rafizi Ramli for the deputy presidency. Since the defeat, Rafizi has transformed from one of the government’s key strategists into one of its most vocal critics.
The timing could hardly be worse for PH.
Just days before the convention, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced plans to unveil a “new political direction” to coincide on the same date of the PKR convention, fueling speculation about the emergence of a new political movement or bloc. Their message appears aimed at Malaysians disillusioned with current political arrangements and seeking a more reformist and progressive alternative.
Rafizi’s increasingly frosty relationship with PKR leadership has already triggered speculation that he could eventually leave the party entirely once Parliament is dissolved. His hints about contesting under another banner have intensified concerns that PH may face a split vote among reform-minded supporters in the next election.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding GE16 continues to dominate political discussions. Although the next general election is only due by February 2028, rumours persist that Anwar could call an early election as soon as the second half of 2026, potentially aligning it with state polls in Melaka and Johor.
However, Umno’s recent signals that BN intends to contest GE16 independently have complicated those calculations. While BN chairman Dato' Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has left the door open for seat negotiations with other parties, the coalition’s changing tone suggests PH can no longer assume automatic electoral cooperation.
The coming PH convention may therefore become less about celebration and more about political survival. With reform credibility under scrutiny, component parties growing restless, and former allies hinting at rebellion, PH now faces a critical question: can it reinvent itself before Malaysian voters decide its fate, or is the coalition slowly losing the very momentum that once brought it to power?
By: Kpost
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