Twentytwo13

Is Perikatan Nasional in need of a new Opposition leader?

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has a strong representation in the Malaysian Parliament, but seems to lack a leading voice in keeping the ruling government in check.

In fact, PN has not been convincing in the Dewan Rakyat, unlike the Opposition prior to the Nov 19 General Election.

Naturally, all eyes are on the Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. Some, including those within PN, now wonder if he is truly the right man for the job.

Hamzah hogged the spotlight in recent days after his, and his wife’s bank accounts, were frozen by the authorities.

The PN secretary-general claimed that the move was “politically motivated” and that enforcement agencies were being pressured by the Malaysian government to harass him and fellow Opposition leaders.

Political analyst Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk pointed out that Hamzah had consistently failed to ask hard-hitting questions in the August house, especially about the rising cost of living.

“I do not know why. Perhaps Hamzah was too busy looking after other affairs,” said Azeem.

“Whatever it is, PN needs a strong and vocal leader in Parliament’s next sitting on Oct 9.

“There are many senior leaders within the PN, people like (former prime minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin Yassin and (Datuk Seri) Takiyuddin Hassan, who can do the job.”

Azeem even named former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as another capable candidate to lead the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat. Hamzah and Muhyiddin represent Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, while Takiyuddin and Shahidan are from Pas.

The PN coalition consists of Bersatu, Pas and Gerakan.

Azeem added that most leaders had “political baggage”, including those in Putrajaya.

“Name me one politician who does not have any,” said Azeem.

“The prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has political baggage. So does his deputy (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), who is facing corruption charges.

“PN owes it to the rakyat to take the government to task and ask hard-hitting questions that affect us. Shahidan can be the man for the job, but he must first stop trying to sensationalise everything.”

He also said Shahidan has a good attendance record in Parliament, unlike other senior PN politicians.

Azeem pointed out that Pas had won the most number of seats in the 15th General Election among the PN coalition members, and as such, a leader from the Islamic party should lead the Opposition.

Azeem also added that the current political system does not favour opposition parties, and that the media needed to give them more space to get their message across.

“For an opposition to be truly effective, it must be approached as a ‘whole of society’ effort, not a fragmented one. The government must not only heed the voices of the people in Parliament, but also through the media.

“It is crucial that the government listens to the people and implements the right policies to address their concerns.”