Malaysia's ruling coalition running out of time to deliver on change, analysts say

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is facing a critical juncture, with recent election defeats in Sabah and Johor, and now Negeri Sembilan, signaling a significant loss of public support. Analysts like Adib Zalkapli, managing director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, suggest the coalition is "running out of excuses and noses to bloody" and "needs to seriously change their campaign and perhaps some of the leaders."

The upcoming national assemblies for PKR and DAP, key components of the PH coalition, are poised to be pivotal. DAP faces a referendum on its participation in the Anwar cabinet, while PKR, after holding power for only one term, confronts the possibility of ousting its founding father, Anwar. This situation is particularly ironic, as PH's electoral victories in 2018 and 2022 were fueled by reformist agendas championed by these parties. Now, analysts observe that while the desire for change persists among Malaysians, PH is no longer seen as the agent of that change, with Anwar himself becoming associated with the establishment.

Under pressure, the PH coalition has employed what critics call "desperate measures." The recent release of a royal inquiry report into the mismanagement of the Muslim pilgrimage fund, Tabung Haji, prior to 2018, was seen by many as a political maneuver to discredit the opposition, UMNO. However, the Anwar administration faced accusations of delaying the report's declassification for four years, only to weaponize it now that PH and BN are political rivals. This tactic backfired, as Malay PH candidates who emphasized their commitment to Malay and Islamic interests in campaign videos ultimately lost their elections.

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They can’t hit the snooze button a third time. PH needs to seriously change their campaign and perhaps some of the leaders.