‘Superteam' party of KJ, Rafizi, Syed Saddiq won't work, say analysts
An Umno Supreme Council member recently suggested that Khairy Jamaluddin, Rafizi Ramli, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and other political outliers form their party.
PETALING JAYA : A political 'superteam' featuring big names like Khairy Jamaluddin, Rafizi Ramli and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman might look good on paper, but won't go far in Malaysia's political terrain, analysts have warned.
Personality conflicts and differing strategies by these high-profile politicians could sink a new party before it gained traction, says public policy specialist Kartini Aboo Talib of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
'Superteams may fail because of clashing egos, different leadership styles, undefined roles, or competing strategies and interests,' she told FMT. 'Unless each person is willing to give and take, and share the same goal of defeating a common political opponent, it's not going to work.'
The idea of a new party was floated by Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, who joked that high-profile but politically displaced leaders like Khairy, Rafizi and others should form a party together with 'solid bargaining power'.
However, Malaysia has a long history of failed third forces, from Parti Socialis Malaysia to Pejuang to even Muda, all of which struggled to gain ground against dominant coalitions.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Malaysia's political ecosystem still revolves around parties with deep grassroots support.
'The names that are mentioned have one thing in common, that is, they are very critical of their party, whether current or former,' he said. 'But you need more than criticism and charisma. You need a membership base and a working party machinery.'
Azmi cited the limited electoral success achieved by the youth-based Muda, despite Syed Saddiq's fame, saying that a party cannot survive on charisma or non-member support alone.
'It doesn't work that way. That's why Umno, PKR, DAP, PAS and Bersatu remain dominant because they have a strong grassroots base,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia taps fresh chip momentum with Intel, Vishay expansion plans
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has held discussions with leading tech giant, Intel, regarding the latter's plans on reinvestment and expansion of its operations in Malaysia. Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Intel has invested RM50 billion to-date, and provided employment opportunities to 12,300 local workers. 'Intel's presence in Malaysia since 1972 has grown in tandem with the country's rise as a global semiconductor hub. 'This meeting reflects Intel's continued confidence in Malaysia as its key investment destination outside the United States,' he said in a post on the social media platform X today. He added that the Malaysian government, through MITI and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), remains fully committed to supporting Intel's expansion in the country. 'Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030), and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), we will continue to strengthen a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem,' Tengku Zafrul said. Meanwhile, in a separate post, the MITI minister said a United States-based manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, Vishay Intertechnology, has expressed its intention to expand its operations in Malaysia. 'They already have a presence in Melaka, and the rise in the number of high-tech semiconductor facilities is in line with the objectives of NIMP2030 and NSS,' he added. Tengku Zafrul is currently on a working visit to Washington, United States. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar calls on King at Istana Bukit Tunku for two-hour briefing on current affairs
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Istana Bukit Tunku, here. The meeting lasted for approximately two hours. According to a post on the official Facebook account of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Prime Minister briefed His Majesty on the latest developments and a range of current issues. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Let state govts implement federal projects, Putrajaya told
Onn Hafiz Ghazi urged the federal government to use Johor 'as a pilot project' in carrying out federal development plans. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has called on the federal government to entrust state governments with implementing federal development projects meant for the people. Onn Hafiz said 222 projects supposed to be implemented in Johor between 2016 and 2024 have got off the ground. He suggested that the federal government empower state governments to carry out the projects, starting with Johor 'as a pilot project'. He said some of the stalled projects included hospitals, health clinics, roads and mosques, for which the total cost amounted to RM10 billion, Berita Harian reported. 'And when we enquire about it in meetings, they tell us, 'don't worry, we will check with the relevant ministries and approve'. These are projects that are meant for the 'rakyat', but till today, work has not started on any of them,' he was quoted as saying. He said it was time for the federal government to entrust the state governments with the task of implementing these projects. Onn Hafiz, who is Johor Umno chief, said his party would bear the brunt when these projects are not realised.
