PETALING JAYA: The spotlight is now turning to several upcoming political developments, including PKR’s congress in June, DAP’s special meeting in July, and PAS’ review of its ties with Bersatu, with analysts expecting clearer signs of shifting political momentum in the coming weeks.
Director of research firm Merdeka Center Ibrahim Suffian described the next two months as a “critical and fluid window” as parties attempt to balance ideological expectations with electoral realities.
He said upcoming PKR and DAP meetings were partly aimed at easing grassroots frustrations over compromises needed to sustain the current coalition.
However, Ibrahim said talk of possible early state polls in Johor and Melaka meant the gatherings were also increasingly becoming platforms for election readiness ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
PAS is reviewing its cooperation with Bersatu, claiming that its partner in Perikatan Nasional has broken its promises and had barred other political parties from joining the coalition.
Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said current movements within PKR, DAP, PAS and Bersatu are being driven by ideological tensions, grassroots dissatisfaction, and preparations for GE16, although electoral calculations remain the dominant factor.
“For PKR, the tensions are not purely ideological but revolve around leadership direction, reform credibility, and internal power struggles,” he said.
Mohammad Tawfik said younger reformist supporters were increasingly questioning whether the party still reflected its original reform agenda, while leaders repositioned themselves strategically following internal contests.
He described DAP’s current moves as more of a strategic recalibration within the unity government rather than an ideological crisis.
“DAP understands that its cooperation with Umno creates discomfort among parts of its traditional support base.
“However, the party is also aware that stability and federal power-sharing remain politically necessary,” he said.
On PAS and Bersatu, Mohammad Tawfik said both ideology and competition for dominance within the Malay-Muslim opposition bloc were at play.
He said that weaker ties between the two parties could fragment Malay votes in mixed and marginal seats.
“This can potentially benefit rivals in three-corner contests,” he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Policy Research director Assoc Prof Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said ideological differences were most apparent between Umno and DAP despite both parties working together at the federal level.
He said Umno’s “Malay first” agenda remained fundamentally at odds with DAP’s “Malaysian Malaysia” concept.
“While Umno and DAP are not competing for the same seats, their grassroots members are not on the same page.
“Whatever semblance of unity is unsustainable if party members at the grassroots level are at the opposite end of the ideological spectrum,” he said.
On the opposition front, Prof Azeem Fazwan said Bersatu appeared to need PAS more than the latter needed Bersatu.
He said PAS could be relying on sacked Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to retain seats previously won by the latter party.
“One thing is clear, political fragmentation among the major political parties is making it next to impossible to anticipate how things will play out politically in the next general election,” he said.
