PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s wipeout in the Negri Sembilan election has weakened its claim of being able to win Malay support on its own, experts say.
In comparison, they said Parti Wawasan Negara’s three-seat breakthrough has boosted the morale of the new party ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Wawasan won three out of four seats while Bersatu, despite fielding 24 candidates, failed to win any.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the outcome has elevated Wawasan’s position within the opposition while exposing Bersatu’s inability to prove it remains a significant draw among Malay voters.
However, he said Wawasan’s success was driven largely by voters’ confidence in the cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.
“Wawasan benefited from being part of a broader political alignment that voters viewed as stable and credible.
“Bersatu, on the other hand, contested solo and simply did not have enough to convince voters,” he said when contacted.
Azmi described the election as a missed opportunity for Bersatu to demonstrate its relevance.
“This was an important test. Had Bersatu performed well, it could have argued that it still commands significant Malay support and used that as leverage in any future cooperation with Pakatan Harapan ahead of GE16.
“Instead, the results suggest it cannot make that claim convincingly,” he added.
International Islamic University Malaysia political scientist Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri agreed, saying that Wawasan’s success stemmed from its ability to ride on Perikatan’s brand and its cooperation with Barisan.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Wawasan’s performance showed there was room for a new Malay political vehicle.
“Bersatu’s weaker showing raised questions about its organisational strength and relevance within the opposition.
“The contrasting results suggest that voters are becoming less attached to party labels and more responsive to local candidates, political positioning and coalition credibility.
“But the bigger question is whether Wawasan can convert this breakthrough into a sustainable political force,” he said.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Wawasan benefited from its position within the Perikatan arrangement, cooperation with PAS and access to a consolidated voter base.
He said Bersatu, by contesting separately in numerous multi-cornered contests, appeared isolated and was unable to convince voters that it remained the most viable Malay political alternative.
“The outcome weakens Bersatu’s claim to be PAS’s principal partner and potentially strengthens a developing PAS-Wawasan axis within Perikatan,” he said.
However, Prof Awang Azman said Wawasan’s three-seat win does not yet make it a major national party as its success may have relied on coalition support and machinery, instead of its own grassroots strength.
“Wawasan must now show that the party can build its own organisation, policy identity and appeal beyond Negri Sembilan,” he said.
