Political analysts say Perikatan Nasional (PN) must give Wawasan greater room to shape the coalition’s direction if it hopes to wrest control of the federal government.
Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya (UM) said Wawasan had a different identity from other PN component parties, particularly PAS, because of its moderate and middle-ground approach.
He said Wawasan must translate this approach into concrete policies, particularly on job opportunities, housing, education, governance and the cost of living.
“If Wawasan wants to attract moderate voters, PN must give the party genuine room to form the coalition’s narratives and its proposed policies,” he told FMT.
Wawasan urged to prove its identity
Another UM analyst, Awang Azman Pawi, said Wawasan could help PN appeal to moderate Malay voters, professionals, young urban voters and potentially some non-Malay voters.
However, he said Wawasan must demonstrate that it had an identity of its own and was more than a cosmetic addition intended to make PN appear more moderate.
This was particularly important as PAS, which is driven by an Islamic agenda, leads the PN coalition, he said.
“PN can achieve this by giving Wawasan room to influence its policies and direction, rather than relegating the party to a mere supporting role in the coalition.
“If PN’s rhetoric or policies are mostly driven by the dominant component (PAS), Wawasan will be drowned out.”
Wawasan’s role ahead of GE16
On Aug 28, Wawasan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah said the party hoped to help PN secure victory in the next general election (GE16) through an “approach based on the law and moral values”.
Wawasan, a multiracial party, was previously known as Parti Cinta Malaysia before it was taken over and rebranded by opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin.
Its founder, Huan Cheng Guan, remains a Wawasan vice-president.
Having joined PN in July, analysts see Wawasan as replacing Bersatu’s position as the moderate, Malay-dominated party in the coalition following Bersatu’s fallout with PAS.
