Can Harapan be Saved?

 

Some have blamed Bersama for PH’s loss in the Johor state election. They recycle cliches that the Kancil party had “split votes” and caused them to lose.  But Malaysiakini has proved this assertion wrong; Bersama received few votes and only affected Harapan in two marginal seats. The major factor for Harapan’s defeat was Perikatan Nasional’s votes going to Umno, with PAS asking supporters to choose Umno. (Andrew Sia in Malaysiakini (13 July) reported on 12 ways to save Pakatan Harapan (“PH” or “Harapan”). This blog article is an adaptation of it.)

 

Source: https://ms.wikipedia.org

In other words, the racial strategy of PAS and Umno worked, with MCA and MIC riding on this Malay wave. Even big parties like PKR and Amanah lost deposits in seven seats. 

Political analyst James Chin said many non-Malays were angry with DAP, so they just didn’t vote. It may be said that Chinese voters preferred self-defeating cynicism instead of doing something positive like giving a boost to Bersama for real reforms. 

Harapan has been slapped with a yellow card. They must improve in their last 15 months to avoid a red card in the next general election. 

Here are at least 7 ways Harapan can save itself. 

1) Do serious reforms

Even if PH lose the next election, at least they’ll go down as heroes. When BN or PN inevitably fail, Harapan will have some credibility to regain power. 

2) Lower medical insurance

Control private hospitals’ profits, or create a good, affordable Madani health insurance to win back middle-class voters. And fund the healthcare system and improve its services. 

3) Economy and Education 

There are several good stories regarding the economy but the B40 feel the cost of living has not been addressed. SMEs seem lost in a more digitalised world. And do provide more jobs for graduates and school leavers. The unemployment rate for age group 15-24 is over 10%! 

Education has been the bane. UEC, private education and national schools continue to cause distress. Sarawak is working-out an education plan of its own. And it does look better on paper. 

4) Redraw seats fairly

One urban vote should equal one rural vote. Stop electoral manipulation and gerrymandering.

Many suburban seats like Bangi, Gombak, and Selayang in Selangor have huge Malay-majority populations but can only choose one MP. Meanwhile, the same number of rural voters can choose six MPs! Don’t punish urban voters. This will benefit Harapan, so what are they waiting for? 

5) Fight corruption

Clean up the MACC, then make it answerable to Parliament, not the prime minister. Set up an Ombudsman system comprising respected retired judges with powers to probe anyone.

So, if a civil servant earning RM7,000 monthly has three big bungalows and five luxury cars, they can be quickly seized if they can’t explain how they paid for them. 

6) Political funding law

Use this to control the disease of “political donations” buying over leaders and policies. Umno also promised this in their 2022 manifesto, so there are no excuses.   

7) Najib remains in prison

Don’t entertain house arrest or early release of a kleptocrat. This is a disgrace to the judiciary and rule of law if he gets away with house arrest or a pardon. And please be serious in getting J. Low. 

Harapan has been spiralling down since the Sabah elections, and now Johor. But it’s still possible to pull the plane up from the nosedive if Harapan takes decisive emergency action. If not, you may not even hit the Hudson River like Sully did on US Airways Flight 1549! 

Reference:

COMMENT | 12 ways to save Harapan after Johor defeat, Andrew Sia, Malaysiakini, 13 July 2026