Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said Gerakan would have a stronger basis for this endeavour if the party was working with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

But as long as it remained a PN component alongside Bersatu, PAS, and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, Gerakan would continue to find itself linked to racial and religious issues, said Syaza.

“If Gerakan was working with PH, it would be able to canvass the support of segments of the rakyat who are sick of identity politics,” she told FMT.

On Saturday, Gerakan president Dominic Lau said Malaysians were largely tired of political parties playing up religious or racial issues.

He said his party would focus on universal concerns of the economy, education, health, good governance, cultural harmony, digital transformation, security and peace, youth empowerment and employment.

Gerakan and PAS leaders have locked horns before over a range of issues, including the involvement of breweries in raising funds for Chinese-medium schools.

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong had said the party would not hesitate to quit PN if its allies continued to display religious extremism and infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.

Another analyst, Lau Zhe Wei, also of IIUM, said Gerakan’s ambition was nothing new as the push to move beyond race and religion had already been championed by parties like PKR, DAP, and Muda.

However, he said it could be a new strategy from Gerakan to increase its support.

“Since Gerakan has struggled to get Chinese votes, this change in narrative could be one way to go about (expanding its support),” he said.