Opposition too fractious to form grand coalition: observers

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – The meeting between former prime ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has triggered predictions of a new grand coalition underway, but analysts believe cooperation between rivalling opposition parties is unlikely in the coming general election (GE15).

The political observers pointed to the fractious relationships between Muhyiddin-led Bersatu and its offshoot Pejuang, helmed by Dr Mahathir, as well as their former allies in Pakatan Harapan.

The analysts noted a lack of cohesion between the likes of Bersatu, Pejuang, and Bersatu, as well as the Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties – PKR, DAP, and Amanah – after the Sheraton Move in early 2020 that led to the collapse of the PH federal government.

They said Muhyiddin’s efforts to regain the helm may be futile, while the possibility of opposition parties coming together to form a minority government is also far-fetched.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Prof Azmi Hassan said leadership structure is the biggest hurdle opposition parties face in forming a coalition.

- More -