KUALA LUMPUR: The more, the merrier. Or the fewer, the better fare?

These two age-old sayings, although originally linked together, summarise the crossroads where Barisan Nasional isnow at as the coalition ponders on its survival in the ever-fluid political landscape.

On the heels of BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's statement that the coalition would welcome more parties under its wings, leaders have expressed a divided take on the matter.

There are those who feel uneasy about BN potentially opening its doors to old enemies, while others, like Pas, see it as an approach to reform the coalition's strength ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15). 

Nevertheless, analysts have cautioned BN leaders about the plan. Universiti Malaya's Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi pointed out that quantity did not necessarily mean quality.

"Yes, politics is about the numbers game. But the number needed is in Parliament, not how many parties you can gather under one umbrella.

"What's important is, how many of BN's allies can secure the number (of parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat)?

"It is time to get stronger friends who are more loyal and can strengthen BN. Friends who can't guarantee victory will only become liabilities.

"If the reason for getting more parties into BN is just to improve its image, then I don't think the coalition can win GE15 because quality is much more important."

On Sunday, Mohamad said the coalition was open to accepting any party, but said the approval should be subjected to a consensus among BN component parties.

The Rantau assemblyman said this after opening Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia's 12th annual general meeting. Despite being BN-friendly for many years, Makkal Sakti is still waiting to be accepted into BN.

Since Mohamad made no mention of which political party he was hoping would join BN, observers believed that the invitation was open to all, including Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Awang said Parti Warisan Sabah, for example, has what it takes to boost BN's image.

"The photo of Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal together with former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the latter's successor, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had opened the door for discussions.

"I believe everyone knows by now that nothing is impossible in politics. No one stays as friends or enemies too long in politics. What's important to the players is their political interests."

The three leaders were captured in a photo together on Dec 25, after they attended the tahlil prayers for Najib's mother, Tun Rahah Mohamed Noah, who died on Dec 18.

On BN working together with Warisan, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian echoed a similar view, saying that GE14 had rewritten the country's political scene and Malaysia's politics had moved to the micro level.

"Even small parties can make significant contributions. So I won't be surprised if Warisan may want to work with BN because, as we know, anything can happen.

"It is no longer about ideology or loyalty, but about who can bring in the numbers."

Sivamurugan pointed out that while certain things could help strengthen BN, voters' sentiment had changed post-GE14.

He said most voters nowadays were no longer loyal to political parties and would only make their decisions at the eleventh hour. The main criteria they would look for are the candidates BN is offering.

"In GE15 voters will vote based on current issues. The candidate factor will be extremely important because the people want some quality in their representatives." 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/12/653116/even-more-allies-bns-ge15-victory-not-assured