Analysts predict heartache for new party Hati

Free Malaysia Today

19 hours ago

The president of Hati, Chan Tse Yuen, speaking in a press conference at the launch of the party on Friday.
PETALING JAYA : Discontented voters are likely to back the opposition in the next general election instead of voting for a newly-formed outfit, a political analyst said in dismissing Parti Hati Rakyat Malaysia's aspirations.
James Chin of the University of Tasmania told FMT that Malaysian voters are unlikely to rally behind a new party simply because they do not believe it can form a government.
'If people are unhappy with Pakatan Harapan, they will vote for Perikatan Nasional. So there's already a clear choice. People understand that the next election will be a battle between PH-Barisan Nasional and PN.'
Hati, which was unveiled on Friday, has positioned itself as an alternative to voters frustrated with the current government.
James Chin.
Chin also does not think that many Malaysians would want another hung parliament, which had forced the royals to step in to help form a new government.
The current unity government is a result of a hung parliament following the outcome of the last general election, after no party secured a clear majority.
Chin also said that should the party decide to partake in the impending Sabah polls, 'they are guaranteed to lose their deposit.'
As for Hati's prospects in the next general election, Chin said the party has two years to make a name for itself, but said it would be an uphill task as it does not have a prominent leader.
And as it stands now, the top leadership 'is virtually unknown'.
Hati is led by former MCA Youth deputy chairman Chan Tse Yuen. The other leaders are deputy president Abdul Razak Abdul Khalek and vice-presidents Dr Lim Hong Jun, Derrick Kok, and Chee Chee Meng.
Chin said voters generally would not support parties that they believe won't be unable to bring about real change. 'In Malaysia, if you want to make real change, you've got to be in government or at least in one of the big coalitions.'
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hati would struggle to gain traction even if it were to form alliances with other minor parties, such as Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia.
Azmi Hassan.
He also likened Hati's potential strategy to Bersatu's early play for dissatisfied Umno supporters.
'The modus operandi here would be like Bersatu's strategy – if you're not happy with Umno, come vote for us,' he said. 'But I think it will be very difficult for Hati because there is no track record, even for their leaders. So how can you attract the dissatisfied PH voters?'
He said it would be easier for PN to woo unhappy PH supporters.
Azmi said Hati, like Muda, would learn that it cannot survive alone or rely solely on personalities. 'Hati needs a bigger party, not PSM or Muda. In this case, it's PN.'