Dr M key to PH’s comeback bid

It is widely acknowledged that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s re-entry into active politics to lead PH into GE14 was a factor that tilted the outcome in the coalition’s favour.

(NST) – IN the past few weeks there have been obvious heightened activities, based on very public statements by Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders, on the need for a resolution to this conundrum — who would be best to lead them now?

For a while, they could not move beyond Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. It was perhaps a tacit acknowledgement that the coalition needs his star power to take them across the line, be it via a vote of no-confidence in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in next month’s parliamentary sitting, or a possible snap election.

In many of the permutations, Dr Mahathir has either been the frontrunner, an interim solution or crowbarred into a compromise. For instance, he would be prime minister for six months before handing over the post to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, or even be appointed, Singapore-like, as minister mentor.

Dr Mahathir said in an interview that he was hard up to be premier for the third time. Yet he wants to help the opposition, and presumably staying on the sidelines would not help the cause.

Now he is promoting the idea of Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as a PM candidate. Anwar and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir would be Shafie’s deputies, an idea seemingly gaining traction with some PH leaders.

This was something he suggested: that Anwar might not have the necessary support to bring some MPs over, and a compromise needs to be reached to unseat PN next month. What Anwar and PKR think of this idea, we can only guess.

Dr Mahathir surely knows the insistence of many that he lead them again obviously does not augur well for PH. Inherent in all these proposals is the suggestion, inferred or otherwise, that the current PH leadership may not be enough to reclaim Putrajaya.

It is also not good for his image on many fronts, and could be used against him and PH.

It is widely acknowledged that Dr Mahathir’s re-entry into active politics to lead PH into GE14 was a factor that tilted the outcome in its favour.

The coalition, in its various guises beginning with Barisan Alternatif in the 1990s to Pakatan Rakyat in the mid-2000s — largely driven by Parti Keadilaan Rakyat, DAP and Pas — had given BN a bloody nose over the years, but was unable to threaten its hold.

It was Dr Mahathir, his star power, political acumen and drive, that suddenly made PH a legitimate, viable contender. Having buried the hatchet and surprising many to appear on stage with his past critics, he and the leaders of PH showed that they had the makings of a federal government.

Many admitted, some grudgingly, that it was Dr Mahathir who got them over the line, especially getting many Malay voters to rise above their discomfort with DAP, and consider PH over BN.

While the victory could be the confluence of many factors, including BN’s failure to read the nation’s pulse well and the acute desire for change, it must be said it was Dr Mahathir’s presence that got it done.

However, that was two years ago and many things have changed since. For one, PH is no longer the government, and secondly, the Muhyiddin government has not done too badly, especially in its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is rather ironic that while the PH leadership has acknowledged Anwar would be the coalition’s choice for the premiership, for some, it should not be now.

Dr Mahathir is still needed to lead the charge to unseat Muhyiddin in Parliament, as some coalition partners feel the nonagenarian has the wherewithal for the final heave-ho over the hump. Presumably, Shafie with him by the side, does too.

BN surely has learned its GE14 lessons well and would be better prepared for an election. Many of its leaders have suggested that the PN government seek a fresh mandate to put the sniping from the opposition to rest. It must believe that the Malay support it lost in 2018 has somewhat returned.

Hence, an election is much preferred than 222 MPs voting in Parliament.

It is generally accepted that non-Malay votes were already locked against BN since GE13, and the swing of some Malay votes would be enough to unseat the government, which happened in 2018.

A swing the other way could also see the return of BN, perhaps in a different guise.

PH must have also recognised this fact, too, hence none of its key leaders have suggested that polls be called to resolve the political imbroglio the nation is in now.

Its return to power would be via a vote of confidence against the Muhyiddin-led government. This seems to be the main strategy.

As such, the PH leadership is yet again asked to make the presumably more pragmatic choice — Shafie at the helm, Anwar and Dr Mahathir’s proxy in Mukhriz, at his side.

Perhaps PH will get to attract enough MPs this way.

It is obvious that Dr Mahathir is key to PH returning to power. Not many will admit it, but their actions suggest so.