The idea of Pakatan Harapan (PH) working with Bersatu would have been almost unthinkable a few years ago.

Now, political analysts are openly suggesting it could be necessary to contain PAS’s growing influence, particularly in Selangor.

So, should PH actually work with its former rival?

Selangor changes the calculation

PH still controls Selangor, but its position is weaker than it was in 2018.

In the 2023 state election, PH won 34 of 56 seats, down from 51 in 2018. PN won 22, with Bersatu taking 12 and PAS 10.

That makes Bersatu potentially useful to PH.

Analysts argue that figures such as former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali still have political networks in the state, while Bersatu could help PH reach Malay voters it has struggled to win over.

The timing is also significant.

PAS ended its political cooperation with Bersatu in June, leaving the two parties increasingly divided despite both remaining within Perikatan Nasional.

For PH, that creates an opportunity to prevent PAS and Bersatu from presenting a united front.

But Bersatu comes with baggage

There is an obvious problem.

Bersatu was once part of PH before the 2020 political realignment that brought down the coalition's federal government.

For PH supporters, working with Bersatu, particularly politicians associated with that period, could therefore look less like pragmatism and more like forgetting the past.

There is also no guarantee that Bersatu's current political strength would translate into actual votes for PH.

A partnership might give PH access to Bersatu's networks, but it could also alienate voters who still see the party as responsible for PH's collapse.

PH has time to decide

There is no immediate need for PH to formalise anything.

The next Selangor state election is due by 2028, giving the coalition time to assess Bersatu's strength and whether cooperation would genuinely improve its electoral position.

PH has already signalled some openness to cooperation.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said PH was open to working with any party committed to the state's stability, development and people's welfare, although no formal agreement with Bersatu had been reached.

That cautious approach makes sense.

So, should PH work with Bersatu?

Potentially but not simply to stop PAS.

If Bersatu can genuinely help PH strengthen its Malay support and defend Selangor, cooperation deserves serious consideration.

But PH should not assume that Bersatu's political machinery automatically translates into electoral gains.

The coalition also has to consider the cost of working with a former rival whose political history remains deeply tied to PH's own collapse.

PH does not need to decide whether it likes Bersatu. It needs to decide whether Bersatu is actually worth partnering with.