Muhyiddin moots electoral pact, not coalition against BN in GE15

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today floated the suggestion of an electoral pact instead of another political coalition among the disparate parties to face Barisan Nasional (BN) ahead of the 15th general election (GE15).

He said he had held a series of talks with the leaders of parties other than BN components to pilot an understanding following unofficial discussions with several opposition politicians after the Johor state election in March, which saw BN sweeping to its second victory at the state level.

“Bersatu’s formula for straight fights would be characterised by cooperation or an electoral pact which does not involve the formation of a new political coalition,” he said.

“The purpose of this understanding would be to avoid multi-cornered fights that only benefit BN, as was seen at the Melaka and Johor elections.”

Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional chairman, said in April that he had taken the initiative to meet with the main leaders of political parties in the government as well as the opposition to pioneer a cooperation for GE15.

He said the leaders had understood that while the majority of the people did not support BN due to its kleptocratic image, the “anti-BN” vote was split due to multi-way fights among the other political parties.

In a statement today, he said the proposed electoral pact must be based on a common agenda to ensure that Malaysia does not return to the rule of what he described as the “kleptocrats currently controlling BN parties”.

“I believe that the majority of the people reject kleptocracy, and efforts must be made to stop BN from fully returning to power in this country,” he said.

He also rejected claims that he had told the leaders of a political party that he had the support of the majority of MPs to be appointed as prime minister once more.

“I would like to stress that I never told or confirmed to anyone that I have the support of the majority,” he said.

“What was discussed in the meetings I had with several leaders of parties other than BN was to spearhead an understanding to face GE15.”

Muhyiddin, who was prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021. He resigned after losing his majority due to a group of Umno MPs aligned with their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former prime minister Najib Razak who withdrew their support for him in Parliament.