It looks like mighty PAS is well-prepared to square off with arch enemy DAP in the much anticipated “Clash of the Titans” in the next general election! But what about “forgotten boys” UMNO…?
The next general election is not expected to be called until 2027 but already the psywar seems to have begun; in fact, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had recently proposed holding the 16th General Election (GE16) simultaneously with state legislative assembly elections across Peninsular Malaysia.
Loke alluded to the fact that there was no more pandemic to contend with while also highlighting international media reports praising Malaysia’s strong economy and political stability under PM Anwar Ibrahim.
But were those the “real reasons” behind his party's out of the blue proposal?
As regards the sensitive subject of seat allocations, Loke had affirmed DAP’s clear stance that any seat won by a party should remain with that party in line with the understanding between the parties in the current ruling government.
Meanwhile, in what seemed like a direct response to DAP’s apparent “posturing”, PAS appeared to have scoffed at the proposal for GE16 to be held simultaneously with the state elections.
In fact, its vice president Idris Ahmad was also quick to highlight the fact that based on DAP’s statement, UMNO was now allowed to contest only in seats where it won earlier, which effectively meant that DAP was now calling the shots in the Pakatan Harapan-led coalition!
Furthermore, according to him, UMNO which was once a political juggernaut, would only be eligible to contest 26 seats as a result of the “order” from DAP.
Idris also took a jibe at the nationalist party pointing out that its sacred vow “No DAP! No Anwar!” was now consigned to history, replaced by a new vow “Yes DAP, Yes Anwar!”
From anak jantans to a “laughing stock” in the country?
He further sounded the warning bells to UMNO that even Malay-majority states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis and Pahang were now effectively a “graveyard” for the nationalist party; this is because, according to him, the last general election had proven that even though the prime minister then was from Umno, the people still rejected it!
Idris also poured scorn on UMNO by projecting that it may not win many seats, and that the biggest winner will eventually be DAP!
Nevertheless, the Bagan Serai MP stressed that for PAS and PN it did not matter whether the GE and state elections are held simultaneously or not as they will be fully prepared for it.
Beware! PAS to bring out its big tongs (drums) for the next general election!
Incidentally, Idris also appeared to send an ominous message to UMNO and Pakatan Harapan that previously with a mere “Milo tin" his party had managed to topple four states, this time it will be bringing out bigger tongs (drums) for GE16!
Undoubtedly, PAS’ growing confidence and gung ho stance would have sent a shiver down the spine of some in the PH-led unity government; however, it would have also raised some intriguing questions given that politics can be as impossible to predict as the epicenter of the next earthquake.
In fact, GE16 may well boil down to become the "mother of all wars” between the two current giants of Malaysian politics PAS and DAP - a “battle royale" pitting conservative Islamists against moderates and secularists.
An “epic battle” that could effectively decide the destiny of this multiracial country?
Having said that, there is also the danger that PAS could be “overplaying its hand” by often giving the impression that the four states currently under its control are already in its pocket? In that regard, could it pay a heavy price for what some voters there may view as sheer arrogance?
Furthermore, the Islamist party has also been in a tussle with its coalition partner Bersatu lately stressing that it should now be heading the opposition coalition - even in the appointment of the next prime minister!
Is PAS grossly underestimating the impact of its rift with Bersatu?
In fact, isn't there a possibility that some Bersatu supporters and fence-sitters, put off by the Islamist party's perceived arrogance and shenanigans, may decide not to vote for PAS?
In such a scenario could UMNO then emerge as the unexpected winner by sweeping up some of PN’s “fixed deposit” seats in the latter's traditional northern Malay-belt strongholds, and in the process fatally dent PAS’ ambition to conquer Putrajaya?
Whatever it is, it would appear that the Islamist party, for some reason, feels that the DAP’s recent suggestion to hold the general and state elections simultaneously may not be advantageous to it; hence, the reason for its vice-president to take a swipe at the latter and UMNO?
In fact, some observers may say that with its PN ally Bersatu in disarray, PAS may have finally given up hopes of capturing power via another tebuk atap (backdoor) attempt and has now gradually changed its strategy to fully focus on the next general election.
Never too early to dish out the usual “sweet promises?”
After all, didn't the Islamist party’s deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, send “shockwaves” recently by proposing that Mandarin and Tamil should be taught in schools to foster better understanding among the nation’s diverse communities?
If nothing else, isn't this overture a further confirmation that the “mind games” for GE16 have officially begun? But which one of the two giants will emerge triumphant? Or can underdogs UMNO rise and do the near impossible - bury PAS in its own backyard?
Main information source: The Sun Daily, Harakah Daily, FMT and NST.
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