Friday, May 19, 2023

Hadi’s support for Dr M’s ‘Malay Proclamation’ may hurt Muhyiddin, says analyst


FMT:

Hadi’s support for Dr M’s ‘Malay Proclamation’ may hurt Muhyiddin, says analyst


Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of UiTM says the cooperation between the two could offer Malay voters a ‘new narrative’.



PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s cooperation with Dr Mahathir Mohamad through the ‘Malay Proclamation’ could diminish the role of Muhyiddin Yassin in championing Malay issues, says an analyst. (Facebook pic)


PETALING JAYA: PAS’ backing for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “Malay Proclamation” could erode support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, says an analyst.

Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of UiTM says the “tie-up” between PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and the former prime minister puts out a “new narrative”.

“Before the proclamation, Muhyiddin was seen to be a dominant figure (in championing Malay issues) but I think there is now a new narrative with Hadi’s recent cooperation with Mahathir,” he told FMT.

Ariff said even though PN failed to form the government after the last general election, the pro-Malay sentiment is still strong within the community. He believes the proclamation will further strengthen the sentiment.

“It’s true that Mahathir lost in GE15, but now we see a new narrative with the involvement of the PAS president,” he said.

In GE15, Mahathir lost the Langkawi parliamentary seat to PN candidate Suhaimi Abdullah. Overall, PN won 74 parliamentary seats comprising 43 by PAS and 31 by Bersatu.

Ariff said Hadi’s support for Mahathir’s proclamation could persuade those who were against the former prime minister to give it a chance.

Thus, the cooperation between the two could have “some effect” on Muhyiddin’s ability to champion Malay issues, he said.

Meanwhile, Salawati Mat Basir of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) said Muhyiddin is now seen as less influential compared with during GE15.

She predicts that PAS will fare better in the upcoming state elections, saying the party’s support for Mahathir’s proclamation will boost pro-Malay political support for the Islamic party.

Salawati also said that though the Malay issues raised through the proclamation are not new, they would be effective in gathering support as the Malays “like to be reminded” of the social and economic ills affecting their community.


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