Pakatan Harapan must offer vision, not bicker over Sarawak seats, says academic

Keeping the opposition parties united and offering a convincing vision to Sarawak folk are more important than seat negotiations in the next state elections, says a political scientist. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Faisal Syam Hazis said the larger issue was that Pakatan Harapan has not offered a convincing narrative compared with the pro-autonomy message of Sarawak Barisan Nasional. Unlike in the 2011 Sarawak elections, where the opposition's campaign was to kick out controversial chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, this time, they lack a clear vision that can capture the imaginations of Sarawakians. Worse still, different parties seem to be putting out confusing statements, said Faisal, an expert on Sarawak politics. The latest example is how Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jien not ruling out forming a unity government with arch-rival Sarawak BN even though his party is part of Pakatan. "Seat allocations are important but they are the nitty-gritty," said Faisal of UKM's Institute of Malaysian and International Studies. "It is the autonomy of (Chief Minister) Tan Sri Adenan Satem that they have to contend with which is attracting Sarawakians," Faisal told The Malaysian Insider. Sarawak Pakatan parties, DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), met in Shah Alam yesterday to resolve competing claims over some of the 82 seats up for grabs in the Sarawak elections.  The conflicting claims are preventing Pakatan from offering a unified alliance to Sarawak BN at a time when analysts have said that the opposition faces an uphill battle against Sarawak BN and the popular Adenan. Pakatan Rakyat, the precursor to Pakatan Harapan, had its best showing in the 2011 elections when it mounted a campaign to oust scandal-ridden Taib, said Faisal. In that elections, DAP won 12 seats and PKR, three. "In 2011, their message was spread months, even a year ahead of the elections. So that's why they made significant gains. This time, the only stories you hear coming from the opposition are bickering over seats." Faisal said Chong's idea for a unity government with Sarawak BN was also problematic because it sent conflicting messages to voters and would strain ties with Pakatan allies. In March, Chong broached the idea and claimed that it was an option for Adenan if Pakatan took over the federal government in the 14th general election in 2018. Chong's idea infuriated Sarawak PKR. Ties between the two parties are already strained as DAP wants PKR to sever relations with PAS, which the latter has not done so. "Pakatan has a chance to counter Adenan's message of autonomy with its own message of autonomy with accountability. Yet this has not happened and we are all wondering what is Pakatan offering Sarawak?" – February 20, 2016.]]>