PETALING JAYA: The “blue wave” taking shape in Negri Sembilan could mark the beginning of a wider form of Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional electoral cooperation, with political analysts viewing the state election as a key test ahead of GE16.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the roots of the “blue wave” could be traced to the Johor election, which saw the start of a more meaningful cooperation between Barisan and Perikatan through an implicit, behind-the-scenes understanding rather than a formal pact.
“Barisan’s decision to field 25 candidates, while Perikatan appears to avoid contesting in areas where Barisan has candidates, reflects a form of electoral understanding, an early stage of cooperation without a formal agreement,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the cooperation between Barisan and Perikatan in the Negri Sembilan election was based on an understanding, rather than an agreement or formal pact.
He said the tactical arrangement, with Barisan contesting 25 seats and Perikatan 11, would give them the best chance of regaining control of Negri Sembilan.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has also said that Perikatan and Barisan would campaign for each other’s candidates during the state polls.
“After Negri Sembilan, a more structured Barisan-Perikatan cooperation could emerge in Melaka, with the culmination of this partnership potentially taking shape during GE16,” Azmi said.
He added that the development could also benefit Barisan’s component parties as it places them in a more prominent position within the opposition landscape.
“Perikatan, particularly PAS, wants to ensure it remains part of any state government or federal administration arrangement.
“This could represent a combination of the ‘blue wave’ led by Barisan, alongside cooperation with other parties, with the partnership potentially strengthened after the Negri Sembilan election,” he said.
On Bersatu’s decision to contest using its own logo and field candidates in seats contested by Perikatan, International Islamic University Malaysia political science professor Dr Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri said the move reflected the party’s uncertain future within the coalition.
“In fact, I believe Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had already spoken about forming a new coalition. Before they can sort that out, I see this more as Bersatu trying to remain relevant before GE16,” she said, referring to the Bersatu president.
On Friday, Muhyiddin said a new coalition would be formed after the Negri Sembilan election, declaring that Bersatu “will not be alone” after the Aug 1 polls.
He also revealed that former Penang deputy chief minister Prof P. Ramasamy, who chairs Urimai – a member of the loose opposition grouping Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) – had expressed readiness to discuss future cooperation.
Syaza said based on the trend from the Johor election, where Bersatu was considered to have stronger support, the party could struggle to make a significant impact in Negri Sembilan.
“I think Bersatu would end up with only a handful of votes this time, not enough to split the Malay vote,” she said.
