SHAH ALAM - The relationships between coalition parties within Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially Pas and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), are still seen as intact and undisturbed, even though there are opposition Members of Parliament who dare to openly swim against the tide.
Ilham Centre Research Fellow Mujibu Abd Muis views the actions of two Bersatu MPs who have pledged their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a desperate move.
"This case (support for Anwar) does not involve any party issues. The relationship between Pas and Bersatu still appears intact, with the upcoming Kemaman by-election.
"So anything that threatens the alliance could potentially undermine the coalition, but I still don't see both parties leaving each other in the short or medium term," he told Sinar Harian.
He was commenting on the actions of Bersatu's Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, who expressed support for Anwar's leadership, taking into account the problems faced by the people in their respective areas.
Suhaili was also reported to have expressed support for the Sabah Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
Given the current situation and the dynamic nature of party politics, Mujibu believes that it is not impossible for a shift in support to occur in the long term.
"Currently, the Anti-Party Hopping Act is in force, and leaving each other does not offer any advantages to any party now.
"But we can anticipate that many more will do the same due to desperate factors, as well as looking at future political choices in the context of the party and personally," he said.
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub believes that Pas leaders and members need to realise that the party cannot depend on coalition partners to steer the PN.
He added that the party led by Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang will drown in the sea of opposition political leadership because Bersatu relies on the strength of Pas machinery to win elections.
"Bersatu is still far behind in terms of building loyalty among State Assembly members, MPs, and leaders compared to Pas, which has strong loyalty to the leader and the party.
"The strength of Bersatu at this time seems 'artificial' because it relies too much on Pas and current Malay issues compared to the core strength of the struggle.
"Some of the leaders and members are also from Umno splinters, and it's only natural that Umno's DNA is in them," he said.