KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Shellshocked Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to fully reform and accept the reality of its humiliating defeat in the recent GE14 in order to become an effective Opposition, analysts say.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Politics and Security Research Centre lecturer Suffian Mansor said the BN is still trapped in the past of their glory days and have not yet accepted the reality that they no longer enjoy the support of the electorate.
“The people see things differently now, on how the government should deliver. But BN does not realise this and is still in denial as they are dreaming of their glory days when they had won many seats, two-third majority,” he told Malay Mail in reference to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's blame-game towards voters and negative campaigns as the cause of BN's defeat in GE14.
“If they don't change their ways, they will not be able to be a strong Opposition and would most likely be emotional than practical when in Parliament.”
Suffian said if BN remains unchanged, they would fail to regain their strength and stand to lose even more seats in the 15th general election.
Geopolitical expert Azmi Hassan told Malay Mail the rate of transformation of the former ruling party in the next five years would be the determining factor for it to be a challenger to Pakatan Harapan in GE15.
He said based on the desire to change among Umno members, the changes within the party would bring good to the coalition and would enable BN to survive until the next elections.
“Time will tell will, it is too soon to say their dead. Right now BN leaders are still in shock mode... let them settle themselves first. The tone of the denial is very common since the loss was very sudden and unexpected. Since it has only been less than two weeks, it is not surprising to be in such denial.
“But come with time when the jolt settles down, BN leaders will come to term of its defeat and accept it as it is,” he said.
Azmi said having the experience in the government and running the nation is an added advantage for the coalition as an effective Opposition, with representatives able and worthy to be in Parliament.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's Jeniri Amir said the denial syndrome was only felt by Najib, as the former BN chairman refused to concede that he was the cause behind the party's downfall in GE14.
He said moving forward, the relevance of Umno and BN hinges on their ability to change as well as the popularity of the ruling coalition through delivering their promises published in the PH manifesto and how fast they act in correcting the wrongdoings.
“Najib is the only one who is in denial, while others have realised that he was the cause but did not have the bravery to speak up and pretended there wasn't any problems. Because of that hypocrisy, everyone paid the price.
“BN will not be buried and will not cease to exist. But if they do not make drastic reform, they risk losing more seats in the future. They need to reform inside and out, and on their leadership,” he told Malay Mail.
Jeniri said BN has to do a post-mortem and evaluate what has happened and accept defeat even though it is difficult.
“They need to engage more youths, groom more young leaders from now like how Pakatan did.
“As they have no choice but to be an Opposition, the BN lawmakers need to be the check and balance in Parliament, and be the watchdog that doesn't only barks but bites, based on knowledge and facts. They must learn the action and approach that were used by Pakatan when they were Opposition,” he said.
Najib had recently told his supporters in his constituency of Pekan, Pahang that BN's loss was caused by ungrateful voters were were not appreciative of the government’s contributions and had believed in the negative campaigns by PH.
The former Umno president maintained that his party and coalition did no wrong, and had insisted that the country's progress and development were results of the former ruling party's efforts.
