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Sunday, July 30, 2023

Umno-DAP unease could spark low voter turnout, says analyst


FMT:

Umno-DAP unease could spark low voter turnout, says analyst


The size of the voter turnout may matter in Pakatan Harapan-led states like Selangor, with its significant Malay population.



A political analyst says some BN supporters might choose not to vote rather than cast their ballots for Perikatan Nasional candidates.


PETALING JAYA: A political analyst has warned of a potential low voter turnout during the state elections if Umno and DAP have yet to get along as coalition partners after decades of enmity.

Syaza Syukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the two parties bear the responsibility of persuading their respective voters about the significance of casting their ballots, even if it means supporting the other party in the unity government.

“But if there’s still distrust and if the leaders can’t convince their base to vote for the other party, they might choose not to vote rather than vote for Perikatan Nasional,” she told FMT, referring to the perception supporters from both parties had of each other.

“Of course, a good portion of these Malay voters wouldn’t have a problem voting for Perikatan Nasional, but what about the hardcore supporters who are not comfortable with another party in the unity government?” she said.

Among the three Pakatan Harapan-led states, Syaza said voter turnout would matter the most in Selangor because of its Malay population

“Malays in Selangor see their options as either PH or PN, so it is a straight fight between the two (coalitions).

“Same with Penang, but Penang is a mixed state whereas in Selangor, Malays are about 60%, so their choice matters a lot,” she said.

Other political observers have also highlighted the significance of the voter turnout.

Former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin has said recently that it is not impossible for PN to win Selangor but it would depend on the level of voter turnout among Malays and non-Malays.

In one of three proposed scenarios, he said a modest shift in Malay support of 5%, coupled with an 81% turnout in the group’s voters and a 55% turnout for non-Malays, could lead PN to victory

Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said the extent of good ties between DAP and Umno would vary from one constituency to another.

“For example, DAP grassroots will find it hard to work with Umno in Dusun Tua because that seat was taken from DAP and given to Umno without proper consultation,” he claimed.

Previously, a DAP leader told FMT that many party members in Hulu Langat were upset that the Dusun Tua seat was given to Umno Selangor deputy chairman Johan Aziz for the upcoming state polls.

In the 14th general election, Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof won the seat with a majority of 10,422 votes.

Ong also said fostering good ties between DAP and Umno grassroots would particularly matter in certain constituencies.

“I think DAP’s assistance to Umno would have made a difference in Semenyih, where the office of the ‘caretaker’ was held by one of my former special officers and her team for one year. These DAP grassroots leaders know the ground and the people in Semenyih,” he said.

However, he said they have yet to be contacted by Umno’s Semenyih candidate Wan Zulaika Anuar: “And as such, our people on the ground are also not moving.”

Umno Youth permanent chairman Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said it was normal for some grassroot members to distance themselves from DAP, given that the two parties have been political rivals for decades.

However, he said most Umno grassroots members have come to terms with working together with DAP for the state elections. “They haven’t settled 100%, but I think everyone now is focusing on the task at hand, which is to win the state elections,” Wan Agyl said.

1 comment:

  1. Most of UMNO base would absolutely NOT vote for a DAP candidate, maybe for a Malay PKR or Amanah candidate.

    ReplyDelete