Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week suggested that all Malay parties temporarily set aside their differences to form a political coalition focused on the Malay community, noting that race plays a crucial role in shaping Malaysia’s politics.
Speaking to FMT, National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said there is no urgent need for Malay parties to form such a group at this time.
He said the current dynamics of Malaysian politics is not the same as it was in 2018, when Barisan Nasional (BN) fell from power for the first time in 60 years, which led to the impression by certain quarters that “Malays had lost power”.
“Currently, Umno will say they are in the government and can uphold the 3Rs (religion, race, royalty), while the opposition will say they can provide checks and balances,” he said.
He added that BN’s loss in the 2018 general election proved to be the impetus for the formation of Muafakat Nasional, a short-lived political alliance between PAS and Umno which ended in December 2022.
Meanwhile, Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said that the ideology of uniting all Malaysians should be promoted, especially with the country just having celebrated its 67th National Day on Aug 31.
“However, we understand that this is Mahathir’s politics, which focuses on the Malay race,” she said.
“It’s not just about keeping Mahathir relevant, it is also a way to counter Pakatan Harapan.”
Zaireeni Azmi from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said that Malay parties can form a coalition without sidelining other ethnicities.
She said that leaders must consider all ethnic groups when discussing politics, failing which ethnic differences will continue to be a major obstacle to a harmonious society.
“Mahathir usually makes these kinds of statements during election season as he does not have any other issues to focus on,” Zaireeni said.
Another analyst from IIUM, Lau Zhe Wei, acknowledged that a coalition featuring parties such as PAS, Bersatu, Umno, PKR, Amanah, and Pejuang would be a force to be reckoned with.
However, he said that while Malay parties may find it necessary to form a coalition, it would be impractical due to potentially divisive leadership issues.
“The issue is who will lead (the coalition),” he said.
“As long as the leadership issue remains unresolved, there will continue to be divisions.”