Neither does it guarantee a bright future for the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance, James Chin of the University of Tasmania told FMT.
“PH and BN must remember that one swallow does not make a summer,” said Chin.
He said his own observations suggest that, despite a tacit understanding which paved the way for the formation of the unity government two years ago, the animosity between DAP and Umno has “neither increased or decreased”.
“What we have is a stalemate. Umno grassroots still don’t like DAP but understand that to be in power, they have to work with the party,” he said.
Chin warned that continued cooperation between the two parties in the next general election was not a given.
On Saturday, Umno’s Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, representing BN, scored a thumping victory over Perikatan Nasional’s Haizan Jaafar, of Bersatu, winning by a 20,648-vote margin, quadrupling the majority secured at the Johor state election two years ago.
In the run-up to the Mahkota by-election, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his coalition’s collaboration with PH would serve as a template for the unity government’s campaign machinery in future elections.
Chin attributed the unity government’s huge win in Mahkota to the efforts of both parties.
He said Umno, which has always had a strong foothold in Johor, worked hard to ensure the victory. “They know this is their only chance to stay in the government.”
Meanwhile, DAP, which has the backing of 90% of the Chinese community, worked hard to secure their vote, he said.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara shared a similar view, but warned that the outcome may not be as easily replicated elsewhere.
“Mahkota should not be used as a barometer,” he said, adding that the pact was successful in Johor where racial and religious issues were not a major factor.
As a result, he said, the recent brouhaha over the halal certification controversy and the resultant spat between Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok were of little consequence to the voters.
“But, in other parts of the peninsula, brickbats between Umno and DAP continue to fly,” he said.
Azmi said the unity government’s real challenge is how its two major coalitions can use the Mahkota by-election result to create a perception that all is well between PH and BN.