It is unfair for a Bersatu leader like Rais Yatim to use DAP as a boogeyman from the loss of the recent Semenyih by election. As an ally from Bersatu which is also a component of Pakatan Harapan he shouldn’t easily fall for the PAS-UMNO narrative that paints DAP in a bad light. (https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/466523)
The victory of the 14th General Elections is the collective success of all four component parties of Pakatan Harapan as a whole. It should be acknowledged that DAP managed to deliver the necessary number of seats that also contributed the victory of Pakatan Harapan.
Nevertheless the failure of the last two by elections is also a collective failure of Pakatan Harapan as a whole. Therefore the recent Semenyih loss should be seen as the collective responsibility of all four component parties.
As political allies that are currently running the federal government, we shouldn’t blame one another on certain setbacks. Instead, we should learn from the losses in the by elections and find ways to regain the trust of the rakyat.
The people know that former Prime Minister Najib is corrupt which is the reason why he lost power. We cannot keep depending on the allegations against one man to seek support from the people.
Seeking support comes from us, collectively as Pakatan Harapan and not the flaws of one man or his party who has already lost power. Bumiputera-centric parties like Bersatu need to convince the Malay and Bumiputera communities to accept Pakatan Harapan as a whole and reduce their insecurities while promoting national unity among races. We also should not forget other communities that need attention from us as well. We must continue the reform agenda that will be beneficial to ALL MALAYSIANS regardless of their backgrounds. It is important that we gain public confidence on the Pakatan Harapan government.
We need to counter the outdated tactics of PAS-UMNO which seek to instigate hatred among races which is dangerous and counter-productive to national unity. We also need to figure out together a positive political messaging to be presented to the people that can benefit Pakatan Harapan in the long run.
Despite being a former leader from the old regime, it is hoped that as an ally from Bersatu which is now within the Pakatan Harapan coalition, Rais Yatim will understand that efforts in winning over Malaysians from all walks of life is a collective responsibility and we need to ensure we have the confidence of the people in the long run in order to have an effective government. It is important to note that any support given to DAP or to Bersatu also contributes to support given to Pakatan Harapan as a whole.