KUCHING: The Unity Government National Convention which will take place at the World Trade Centre (WTC) on Sunday (May 14) is seen as a platform to send a strong signal that the present government is united.
Political analyst Professor James Chin said the convention, held for the first time, is to have all political parties in government, comprising those who were against each other before the elections, come together.
“I think the two matters that drive these parties coming together at the convention is the upcoming six state elections and they (unity government) need to show a united front and also to dispel the rumours that the current government is shaky and may fall.
“The other thing is that the unity government would want to send a strong signal that they are united in terms of what they are going to do.
“Therefore, I believe there is going to be a signing ceremony on some of the key agendas for this unity government,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
The professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania also said the convention is very crucial for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is because he (Anwar) is leading a government which consists of people who normally fought each other.
“This coalition in the unity government was put together after the election, so he has to show that he is capable of leading the same coalition into the next general election,” he said.
The big challenge, he said, will be the upcoming six state elections in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang, adding that if the unity government performs badly then there is every reason to think the government would not last.
“That is the immediate challenge, but the bigger challenge is to project a united front that can get things done and bring Malaysia to a better place,” he said.
As to what he thought would transpire during the convention, Chin said the convention will be all about good news on how the unity government is working together smoothly and that they can beat Perikatan Nasional (PN) and how Anwar is very secure in his position.
“So, I expect all these are some of the key things that will be the outcome of this convention and of course on how they can look after the economy, and lower the standard cost of living.
“The most important thing is the survival of the unity government that all these parties that were not in the same boat before are now standing together,” said Chin.
