KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) faces a tough 16 months ahead as voters grow increasingly frustrated with unfulfilled promises, economic pressures and political uncertainty.
Political pundit Datuk Peter Minos said PH’s position was becoming increasingly difficult after three years in power, particularly with limited progress on promised reforms and economic issues.
“Three years of doing very little on promised reforms and after three years of not solving economic problems, people are fed up and not hoping much in the next 16 months,” he said.
He said the remaining period was too short for the coalition to make meaningful changes, adding that a “sinking feeling” appeared to have set in within PH.
Minos also pointed to continuing global economic uncertainties, particularly the prolonged Iran conflict, which he said could keep oil, gas and related costs elevated.
“With the cost of living remaining high, nothing much can be done. This is very unfortunate for PH,” he said.
He said dissatisfaction in Sabah and Sarawak over unresolved matters could further add to the coalition’s difficulties.
Among the issues, he cited the 40 per cent revenue entitlement for Sabah and the implementation of Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which he claimed remained unresolved.
“Sabah and Sarawak are not happy at all. All these add to the bad mood in the nation,” he said.
Minos also identified growing Malay political unity in Peninsular Malaysia as another major challenge for PH, particularly DAP.
He said perceptions that PH and DAP had pushed the Malay community “too much” through their words and actions could strengthen efforts to unite Malay voters against the coalition.
“This is one big problem that cannot be solved in over a year,” he said, pointing to the recent political developments in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
Describing PH’s leadership as being in a “panic and desperate mood”, Minos said both PKR and DAP appeared to be facing serious internal and political challenges.
He added that voters were increasingly looking for something new that could ease their economic burdens, worries and anxieties while offering hope for a more stable future.
