Bersatu currently remains a coalition partner in Perikatan Nasional, but has had a falling out with PAS.PETALING JAYA: Bersatu's plan to form a new coalition after the Negeri Sembilan polls will struggle to gain traction unless it secures the backing of a major political party, says an analyst.Syaza Shukri.Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Bersatu needs more than a collection of smaller parties as partners if it hoped to establish the coalition as a credible electoral force and viable alternative for Malaysians."To be really successful, it needs at least another big-name party, and I don't think there's any at the moment that would team up with Bersatu," she told FMT.Plans for a new political alliance were announced two weeks ago by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who said he would seek partners such as Putra, led by Ibrahim Ali, and P Ramasamy’s Urimai.Bersatu is currently a coaliltion partner with PAS, Gerakan and MIPP in Perikatan Nasional. However, Bersatu and PAS have had a falling out, and Muhyiddin - hinting at a PN exit - said the coalition had become toxic with PAS at the helm.Syaza said Muhyiddin's proposed new coalition would also face the challenge of carving out a distinct political identity in an already crowded landscape."I think the only winning narrative for now is that Bersatu would be the only party so far that has held strong against working with BN as Pakatan Harapan and PAS, despite calling out Barisan Nasional's corruption, are both partners with BN at different levels."So the winning narrative could be they are the ones serious about fighting the BN establishment." However, Syaza questioned whether that alone would be enough, as the Bersatu-led coalition would occupy a similar ideological space as existing right-leaning blocs.Bersatu could find it difficult to retain its traditional Malay base if Umno and PAS continued to work together, although Muhyiddin's alliance could still attract Malays unhappy with that cooperation.She said the new coalition would struggle to make inroads among Chinese voters, who tend to vote strategically, but said Indian voters could prove more receptive as they have yet to find a party they strongly identify with.Syaza added that Muda would be the most logical partner for Muhyiddin to rope in given its involvement in the former prime minister's loose Ikatan Prihatin Rak…
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