With Bersatu out, a PAS-Umno combo is inevitable

Bersatu’s days are numbered. The PAS decision to cut ties with the party led by Muhyiddin Yassin has all but driven the final nail in Bersatu’s coffin. But what does this mean for Malaysia and the 16th general election?

For one, PAS and Umno, the two largest Malay parties, know they are in trouble. If they decide to go head to head at the elections, they are both strong enough (and stupid enough) to cancel each other out.

The dismal economic performance of PAS-led Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis – dubbed SG4 – would be dwarfed by Malaysia’s economic rise under the Madani unity government, which also includes Umno.

However, Umno is looking to jump ship: it would prefer to be the captain, instead of first mate. Playing second fiddle to Pakatan Harapan hasn’t sat well with Umno, which has become used to being at the top after six decades in power.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s party wants to claw its way back to power and use the impending Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections as stepping stones.

The Melaka state assembly will eventually be dissolved by year end and Zahid might be forced to abandon Pakatan Harapan in dramatic fashion.

A PAS-Umno combo is inevitable, irrespective of what the union would be called.

The two parties have several reasons to want to work together, a government sans the DAP being one factor. The only question is, who will wear the pants in the relationship.

Like it or not, Peninsular Malaysians who despise communal politics have got only two choices: Pakatan Harapan or Parti Bersama Malaysia, though the latter would be easily overshadowed by a PAS-Umno alliance.

If Malaysians rally behind PH, hopefully with Bersama as a new partner, there is a chance that the country can prevent a Malay-only administration.

The kingmakers, though, will be the parties in Sabah and Sarawak. The East Malaysians are already winners: regardless of the outcome, a deputy prime minister will come from one of the two states.

This is Malaysia’s future moving forward.

Still, even if Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah were to back PH-Bersama, it will not mean everything will be hunky dory in Peninsular.

In fact, I fear, things will get rockier, as PAS and Umno would weaponise race and religion with zeal.

Which is why voters must rein in their impatience with the pace of reforms and continue to back PH to help counter the race and religious rhetoric.

If Malaysians prefer to focus on the government’s shortcomings, we must prepare for the repercussions an emboldened PAS-Umno combo would inflict.

How we vote will determine whether the country will have a brighter future or ruinous one.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.