Without PAS, it’s going to be a long haul for Harapan

The June by-elections and the politics of losing

Quigonbond: The by-elections proved that:

1) PAS and hudud are irrelevant

2) We need to have straight fights

If PAS wants to continue to work with Umno, then as difficult as it may be, it is time for PKR to cut ties with PAS. The opposition has to find a renewed cause, vigour and focus; to hone a laser-focused message of change from now until GE14.

Some seats will be lost because of three-cornered fights with PAS, but if they stop talking about working with PAS, that will go some distance to help people decide that PAS should be rejected.

At PAS’ end, it has had its grand experiment with hudud. It thought its ‘welfare state’ platform was weak during the 2013 general election (GE). Hudud has made it even weaker.

It should think of recombining under Pakatan Harapan and never to raise hudud again. The borderline seats are still up for grabs by the opposition because BN won’t be able to pour its resources into that many places in a general election.

Harapan (and PAS) need to sit down once and for all to thresh out issues. GE14 may come soon enough.

Clongviews: A well-written and balanced opinion by Bridget Welsh. The winners are the voters and those who switched their votes to BN.

In the eyes of the voters, a win by the opposition will not cause a change in the government or bring Najib Abdul Razak down.

So it’s most practical to support BN and enjoy the handouts, and hopefully, promises would be fulfilled by the government before the next GE.

It is during the GE that the voters would truly show their choice, especially the fence-sitters.

Anonymous 1890491455255851: I really do hope all those in the opposition will read this. Really read it.

Unable to form a strong coalition and with no real leader, it is going to be tough to fight the massive BN machinery.

As a Malaysian, it has been clear that no one is running and winning support based on policies that will move this country in the right direction.

It all seems to be about egos, which is incredibly debilitating and not at all useful to the people and the country. Najib boasting about the wins was just another example of a massive ego at work.

As someone who wants a government that we can actually be proud of, I certainly hope that all these personalities can put their egos aside and for the opposition, have a strong message and direction that people can latch on to.

We all know Umno’s intentions and methods. Those have been made all too clear to us, especially in recent times. So I hope the opposition can come together and show us all who the bigger man is.

Anonymous_1425871172: Personally, I think Pakatan will continue to lose the confidence of the rakyat. It is not that BN is doing well.

That said, how often do the elected Pakatan members visit their constituents and try to be close to the rakyat and solve their problems?

The issue of 1MDB and major corruption are only effective among urban voters. The rural voters want to meet their representative on a regular basis and not only when the election is around the corner.

Mark my words, Pakatan is going to lose Selangor in the next election if they do not change. The MB is apparently not doing his work as he seems to be losing control of the state. Simple problems like flood and potholes that are so apparent in Selangor, are not being looked into.

You may say that this is a small issue but those who are constantly affected by this ‘simple issue’ on a daily basis will automatically form hatred in their minds. Wake up, Pakatan, before it is too late.

What is the point of having local councils like the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), Shah Alam Municipal Council (MPSA), etc, if they do not do their work?

The employees are ‘recycled’ from BN when Pakatan won the election. I am not suggesting you sack all of them but you must get rid of the deadwood. It is their duties to ensure that their council perform up to the rakyat’s expectation.

Stop pointing fingers at the federal government. Instead, look into the mirror and ask yourself whether you have done enough before blaming others.

Fallacies and facts on the two by-elections

Tangling: I salute you, writer Kim Quek, for giving an insight to the just-concluded ‘buy-elections’. There is much hope for Harapan if they play their cards right, especially Amanah making inroads into PAS’ territory.

With Hadi and gang in full control of PAS, Amanah is the missing link that needs to work harder to increase its membership and thus machinery.

Likewise, Harapan must go to the ground to show rural folks the massive value of RM2.6 billion in simplified pictures.

Furthermore, issues like higher electric bills, costly goods, unpredictable petrol prices must be drummed into the people’s minds that an elected Harapan MP can do his/her utmost to stop the senseless burden on them.

If there are fewer Harapan MPs, then it will be harder to help the electorates.

Quigonbond: The only way Harapan is going to win GE14 is if Hadi gives up his dream of becoming Malaysian PM.

Since GE13, that single issue has been the bane of the opposition coalition. Will he be gracious enough to sacrifice his own ambition, and do what’s right by all Malaysians?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.