PAS decision to sever ties with PKR to benefit BN: Analysts

POLITICAL analysts foresee three-cornered fights in many constituencies in the 14th general election (GE14) following PAS Dewan Ulama’s decision to sever ties with PKR, saying this will benefit Barisan Nasional (BN) while Pakatan Harapan will see a drain in votes.
But the biggest loser will be PAS, which may even lose its grip on Kelantan, they opined.
Although PAS Syura Council – the party’s highest decision-making body – has yet to make a final decision on the Dewan Ulama motion to end cooperation with PKR, the writing is already on the wall judging on the strong response from the delegates at the PAS annual convention in Alor Star.
Political analyst Dr Thock Kiah Wah told China Press in an interview published yesterday that regardless of PAS Syura Council’s final decision, the bridge of trust between the two parties have already been burnt and three-cornered fights are inevitable.
He said an official severance of ties between PAS and PKR will also affect the stability of the Selangor government (as PKR and DAP will be left running an administration with a very slim majority without PAS).
PAS intends run as part of a third coalition to create an ‘Islamic political tsunami” but there is no sign yet that it will be a force to reckon with, he said, pointing out that BN is the real beneficiary of the PAS-PKR breakup.
“Even if Umno and PAS cooperate in GE14, Kelantan will still see three-cornered fights.
“I believe Amanah will dilute support for PAS. Malay voters may be torn between PAS and Umno, causing PAS to lose seats it won marginally in the last election or even the state.”
Another political analyst Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian said that with the severance of ties with PKR, PAS may find it tough to win even 10 parliamentary seats in GE14, let alone repeat its previous feat of capturing 21 seats.
“This (severance of ties between PAS and PKR) is definitely good news for BN.
Pakatan Harapan, meanwhile, will be under pressure and it is important for it to work hard to keep its marginal seats,” he said.