Analysts: PN-held states can't sabotage PM's Raya charm offensive
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's decision to hold his Aidilfitri open house in three PAS-held states has put political foes in a bind, said analysts.
The governments of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will have no choice but to be gracious hosts to the prime minister from a rival coalition because they cannot use a religious event to score political points.
Political analysts told Malaysiakini that there was no doubt that the move was made with the looming elections in six states in mind.
“This is Anwar’s political strategy - to be closer to the ordinary folks and portray closeness with leaders in PAS strongholds.
“It is definitely related to the state elections which may be held at the end of June or the beginning of July.
“And the best time for him to meet the people is during the Raya celebration,” Universiti Utara Malaysia’s political analyst Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said.
Universiti Utara Malaysia’s political analyst Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani
He opined that the opposition leaders would not risk sabotaging Anwar’s Aidilfitri-do in order to show that they have the people’s best interest at heart.
Sharing Azizuddin's sentiments, Universiti Malaya academic Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it would not be advantageous for the opposition bloc to politicise an event held especially for the people.
“They can’t possibly politicise a religious celebration or turn every day into politics,” Awang Azman said.
“Don’t look at it from a political point of view and try seeing the federal government’s sincerity to forge a better relationship ahead of the state elections, although they are on different sides of the political divide.”
Awang Azman said the events would increase the visibility of Anwar's administration as well as restore the confidence of people in those states who shifted to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the parliamentary elections last year.
"This is to ensure that the people in these states can 'feel' Anwar's administration, not just on national issues, but also the local sentiments.
"Anwar is adopting the personal touch approach by going to the people."
He opined that the opposition leaders would not risk sabotaging Anwar’s Aidilfitri-do in order to show that they have the people’s best interest at heart.
Sharing Azizuddin's sentiments, Universiti Malaya academic Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it would not be advantageous for the opposition bloc to politicise an event held especially for the people.
“They can’t possibly politicise a religious celebration or turn every day into politics,” Awang Azman said.
“Don’t look at it from a political point of view and try seeing the federal government’s sincerity to forge a better relationship ahead of the state elections, although they are on different sides of the political divide.”
Awang Azman said the events would increase the visibility of Anwar's administration as well as restore the confidence of people in those states who shifted to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the parliamentary elections last year.
"This is to ensure that the people in these states can 'feel' Anwar's administration, not just on national issues, but also the local sentiments.
"Anwar is adopting the personal touch approach by going to the people."
Risk inciting federal-level hostility
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat said opposition state governments would likely not want to risk inciting federal-level hostility as Anwar's administration was still very early in its term.
Wong is of the opinion that the opposition would be at the losing end if its leaders decide to pick a fight or play politics leading up to the event.
"The federal government would only gain if they can show the responsibility lies with the other party," he said.
He saw the involvement of the opposition state governments in the open house as a smart move as it could be interpreted as an attempt, in the wider atmosphere, to “cool down” the political temperature.
"Antagonism between the government and opposition was common during BN's time.
"If this continues, it will help PN to mobilise its ground and alienate some Malay swing voters who might vote for Pakatan Harapan otherwise."
Putrajaya had also seized the opportunity to convey a message to PN voters through its friendly and professional attitude, he said.
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat
"It wants to show that the presence of PN state governments is accepted by the Harapan-led federal government - that they are not threatened and there is no urgency for voters to vote for PN, no matter what or who the local candidate is."
However, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) senior fellow Oh Ei Sun cautioned event coordinators – Prime Minister’s Department’s Performance and Coordination Unit (Pacu) – against letting their guards down.
“It is in the ordinary course of politics that rival political camps would try to trip each other.
“So the organisers would have to take extra care so as to ensure the smooth running of the events,” Oh said.
Anwar’s bid to stop ‘green wave’
While concurring that it is an obvious attempt by Anwar’s administration to stake a symbolic political claim in the heart of the traditionally PAS-dominated states, Oh is of the view that it is an exercise in futility.
"It wants to show that the presence of PN state governments is accepted by the Harapan-led federal government - that they are not threatened and there is no urgency for voters to vote for PN, no matter what or who the local candidate is."
However, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) senior fellow Oh Ei Sun cautioned event coordinators – Prime Minister’s Department’s Performance and Coordination Unit (Pacu) – against letting their guards down.
“It is in the ordinary course of politics that rival political camps would try to trip each other.
“So the organisers would have to take extra care so as to ensure the smooth running of the events,” Oh said.
Anwar’s bid to stop ‘green wave’
While concurring that it is an obvious attempt by Anwar’s administration to stake a symbolic political claim in the heart of the traditionally PAS-dominated states, Oh is of the view that it is an exercise in futility.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun
“I think he (Anwar) is just doing the best he could to try to stop a bit of the much-anticipated green-wave electoral onslaught.
“I think he is only putting up some semblance of a political fight.
“He knows very well that nobody could really stop the green wave. They (PAS) are not only politically but also religiously invincible,” he alleged.
This comes after the prime minister’s Aidilfitri open house was moved out of the Klang Valley for the first time in history.
Aside from Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, similar events will also be held in Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
State governments will be hosting the events and supported by a federal ministry.
The chief minister or menteri besar of the states involved will also be invited.
“I think he (Anwar) is just doing the best he could to try to stop a bit of the much-anticipated green-wave electoral onslaught.
“I think he is only putting up some semblance of a political fight.
“He knows very well that nobody could really stop the green wave. They (PAS) are not only politically but also religiously invincible,” he alleged.
This comes after the prime minister’s Aidilfitri open house was moved out of the Klang Valley for the first time in history.
Aside from Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, similar events will also be held in Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
State governments will be hosting the events and supported by a federal ministry.
The chief minister or menteri besar of the states involved will also be invited.
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