Joining a united opposition front comprising various parties outside the ruling bloc is not the same as entering a formal coalition like Perikatan Nasional (PN), Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said following the views of two political analysts on the matter.
Ramasamy said it was misleading to suggest that political parties like Muda or Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) avoid the initiative solely due to the perception that it is an extension of PN.
In a statement, he said such a view “conflates two very different political realities”.
He gave the example of his party, which he said supports Bersatu’s call for a united opposition but has no intention of becoming part of PN.
“There is a fundamental misunderstanding in equating participation in the united front with formal membership in Bersatu, PAS, or the PN coalition.
“This distinction is critical. Supporting a broader political platform to challenge the government does not imply ideological alignment with all parties involved.”
Earlier today, two political analysts told FMT that Muda risked eroding its modest support base by aligning with Bersatu on its proposed united opposition front.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azmil Tayeb said joining the pact would tarnish Muda’s image as a moderate party, while Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the party could lose its core supporters.
Bersatu agreed last week that its president Muhyiddin Yassin would spearhead efforts to build a united opposition front in preparation for the 16th general election.
Subsequently, on July 18, the former prime minister met with the heads of various parties opposed to the government, including Muda, PSM, Pejuang, Putra, the Malaysian Advancement Party, and Urimai.
Ramasamy said equating the united opposition front with a formal coalition “oversimplified” the political landscape and unfairly discredited efforts to build a more inclusive opposition.
“Analysts and detractors alike would do well to acknowledge this complexity rather than indulge in lazy political shorthand,” he added.
