Anwar faces pivotal decision ahead of GE16, says KJ

Free Malaysia Today

6 days ago

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that even in straight fights, BN supporters might choose to back PN candidates in some constituencies, especially given the ongoing unease with DAP.
PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces the crucial question of whether to maintain his existing multi-coalition strategy ahead of the next general election (GE16) or pursue a solo route with Pakatan Harapan (PH), says former minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy said that while going solo might allow PH to win a clear mandate in Peninsular Malaysia, securing power in Sabah and Sarawak remained uncertain without wider alliances.
'Anwar's objective, I think, is a second term… This is the time to think about a second term,' Khairy said on last night's episode of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's Lebih Masa podcast.
'I don't think he's ready to retire – he's still healthy and has unfinished business to complete in a second term
'(But) whether to achieve that objective by joining forces or going solo? If he goes solo, PH can contest alone and might win a clear victory in Peninsular Malaysia.'
However, Khairy added that a three-cornered fight in GE16 involving PH, Barisan Nasional (BN), and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would carry immense risks, especially if PH were to clash over seats with BN.
Khairy said that even in straight fights, BN supporters might choose to back PN candidates in some constituencies, especially given the ongoing unease with DAP.
Meanwhile, PH voters, driven by their opposition to PAS, might be more willing to transfer votes to BN than to PN, said Khairy.
He said the solution was closer ties among grassroots members, noting that while party leaders might put up a united front, there was often little to no cooperation between the local branches of PKR and Umno.
'At the grassroots… many times, there are no direct relations so they are like enemies. That's where vote transferability (becomes a problem). There is a lot of work to be done on that,' he said.
The Umno-led BN played a crucial role in enabling Anwar to form the unity government in the wake of the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament.
Anwar said last November that the collaboration at the federal level was expected to continue through his current term and extend beyond the next general election, which must be held by early 2028.
The four major coalitions that make up the unity government are the Anwar-led PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Last month, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said while there were calls for BN to contest GE16 on its own, the coalition was firm on continuing its alliance with PH.