SHAH ALAM - Pakatan Harapan (PH) is facing growing pressure to consolidate its political direction, stabilise its internal dynamics and strengthen its public messaging as debate intensifies within the coalition over the timing and strategy for the next general election (GE16).
The coalition is also being urged to reorganise internally as it navigates mounting political challenges ahead of GE16, which analysts believe could take place within the next year or by 2027.
Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun said growing internal tensions within PH component parties have increased the urgency for the coalition to better align its political strategy and public messaging.
“There is a growing need within PH to better coordinate its political direction, particularly as several component parties continue to face internal power struggles.
“At the same time, the coalition is under pressure to consolidate its political narrative and public image ahead of GE16 that could take place within the next year, which explains the significance of this weekend’s convention,” he told Sinar Daily.
Oh said the debate over the timing of GE16 was unlikely to significantly change PH’s broader political direction, as the coalition was gradually losing parts of its traditional support base while also struggling to attract new voters.
He said discussions within PH are therefore less focused on whether electoral losses can be avoided altogether and more on how to minimise the extent of those losses.
He added that this has led to differing opinions within the coalition on whether holding the election earlier or later would place PH in a stronger political position.
“Some within the coalition may believe that calling an election sooner could help limit further political damage, especially as many of the coalition’s current challenges are perceived to be worsening over time.
“The country’s political climate had shifted significantly since the last GE, with growing support among voters for a more conservative national direction.
“Regardless of whether economic conditions improve or deteriorate, the broader sociopolitical climate since the last GE has been shaped by a growing desire among many voters for a more conservative national direction.
“PH is widely perceived as unable to fully meet those expectations and the coalition now faces the difficult challenge of projecting a more conservative image while competing against an opposition already strongly associated with that outlook,” he added.
Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri said PH’s recent moves reflected broader efforts to stabilise and reorganise the coalition regardless of when the next GE is eventually held.
She said from a strategic perspective, PH appears focused on regrouping and strengthening itself amid numerous internal and external challenges.
She said this makes it important for the coalition’s leadership to address unresolved issues and consolidate its position ahead of any future electoral contest.
“PH needs to position itself in a more cohesive and prepared ‘battle mode’ should elections draw closer. On one hand, holding state elections involving only Malacca and Johor could help reduce costs amid the ongoing West Asia crisis and broader economic pressures.
“On the other hand, the same economic uncertainties may make this an unfavourable period for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PH.
“Allowing more time until next year could give the government’s policies an opportunity to produce clearer results, making the political environment potentially more favourable than it is now,” she said when contacted.
Syaza described differing views within PH over election timing as a normal aspect of coalition politics, noting that each political party naturally makes strategic calculations based on its own interests and assessment of the current political situation.
She added that PH could still strengthen its political position through institutional reform initiatives that have long been associated with the coalition.
“Advancing measures such as separating the roles of Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, as well as introducing the prime minister 10-year term limit, could provide the coalition with some political breathing space while reassuring supporters that PH remains committed to governance reforms,” she said.
Meanwhile, Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa stressed that PH remained united behind Anwar.
Mujahid emphasised that the authority to dissolve Parliament and call for elections rested with the Prime Minister, subject to the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
“At present, there have been no discussions within PH regarding the possibility of an early GE, as the coalition had pledged in its manifesto to serve a full term. Current geopolitical conditions are also not seen as favourable for an early election.
“However, Malaysia’s resilience in facing ongoing challenges and the leadership displayed by the Prime Minister could potentially create momentum for an earlier-than-expected polls.
“Even so, I expect that GE16 would more likely take place either in early 2027 or around the middle of that year,” he said.