Common cause will give BN-PN reason to keep going, says analyst
Political analysts suggest that the informal alliance between Malaysia's Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional is a marriage of convenience that may struggle to survive long-term. While the pact helps them avoid competing for the same seats, internal power struggles and conflicting interests threaten its stability.
Why it matters
The stability of this political alliance is critical to the outcome of future Malaysian general elections and the country's broader political landscape.
Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional formed an informal alliance with an understanding not to compete against each other for the Negeri Sembilan election on Aug 1.
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional may be able to stick together, even if not completely compatible, if they have more to gain from an alliance than in rivalry, according to a political analyst.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said history has shown that a pact forged on short-term interests could withstand pressure, but cracks would appear when interests are not aligned.
The next general election would be the real test for the BN-PN “marriage of necessity”, he said. Having a common enemy could unite the two former rivals but a power struggle would tear them apart. "Then a divorce is not a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when’.”
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