Gta Good On Paper But Lacks Influence To Woo Malays Says Analyst

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Dr Mahathir Mohamad (centre) and leaders of the parties in Gerakan Tanah Air at the launch of the coalition today.PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s new Malay-only coalition aimed at challenging Umno in the next general election looks good on paper but may have little impact on the country’s political scene, an analyst said.
This is because Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) is made up of “bit players”, said Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan.
He said the coalition, which was unveiled today by the former prime minister, lacked the pull factor to woo the Malays.
“It may look good on paper, but when it comprises Pejuang, Berjasa (Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia), Putra (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia) and Iman (National Indian Muslim Alliance Party), it might not have a huge impact on the political scene,” he said.
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“Furthermore, those in the coalition don’t appear to have the influence to win the sympathy votes from Malay Muslims.
“This appears to be an attempt to gain political mileage by further dividing the Malay-Muslim vote.”
Azmi said it was also likely that Mahathir was trying to dilute the influence of other Malay-Muslim parties, especially Umno.
He said this would further split the votes and benefit Pakatan Harapan in the end.
Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said Mahathir probably believed that a new coalition would be able to take on its foe, Umno.
He said the coalition was also probably created with the realisation that the political landscape was dominated by Malay-Muslim parties.
“Mahathir probably believes the new coalition has a chance to woo Malay voters who are undecided and who are non-Umno voters,” he said.
The GTA coalition also comprised Malay NGOs, academics as well as professionals.
Mahathir said the movement was aimed at changing the government and going up against Umno in the next nationwide polls. - FMT

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