Gerakan is in no position to question Malay voting trend considering its own struggles to remain relevant

Focus Malaysia:

Gerakan is in no position to question Malay voting trend considering its own struggles to remain relevant

By Dr Mahathir Mohd Rais

IN A recent statement, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau expressed concern over the shift in Malay votes towards Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections. He called for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to review this trend ahead of future elections.

But one has to ask: Is Gerakan, a party that has been on the decline for over a decade, in any position to critique its coalition partners?

And does Gerakan even have the credibility to speak on Malay voting trends when it struggles to maintain relevance in any voter demographic?

Gerakan’s failure to secure a voter base, particularly among the Chinese, has been glaring when compared to the overwhelming success of DAP.

Over the years, DAP has solidified its dominance among Chinese voters by positioning itself as a credible alternative to Gerakan or MCA, effectively capitalising on urban discontent and issues affecting minority communities.

To date, what has Gerakan done to rebuild itself? The answer is simple: almost nothing. It has failed to win back seats in Penang and has been consistently sidelined in national politics.

If Gerakan ever hopes to recover, it must first acknowledge that it is no longer a competitor in this crucial demographic.

Lau’s call for PN to review the Malay vote is curious, given that Gerakan has done little to contribute to PN’s success.

The party holds no parliamentary seats and hasn’t made any significant electoral breakthroughs since its fall from grace.

Gerakan’s departure from BN in 2018 did not spark a revival, nor did its entry into PN give it the boost it so desperately needed.

So, what exactly does Gerakan bring to PN? The party’s lack of influence is crystal clear, especially compared to Bersatu and PAS, which have strong grassroots support and electoral machinery.

If Gerakan has been largely invisible within PN, what right does it have to critique the coalition’s performance?

Lau’s sudden focus on Malay voting trends also raises questions. When PN won the Sungai Bakap by-election with a strong margin of votes, there was no mention of the importance of Malay votes from Gerakan.

But after defeats in Nenggiri and Mahkota, Lau is now sounding the alarm. Why the selective outrage? Is Gerakan genuinely concerned about PN’s prospects, or is this an attempt to shift attention away from its own lack of progress?

Gerakan cannot cherry-pick issues to suit its narrative, especially when it has contributed so little to PN’s overall performance.

Dominic’s concerns also oversimplify a complex issue. There is no singular “Malay vote” that can be easily categorised.

Voting behaviours differ across regions and constituencies, influenced by local issues, candidate strength, and control of state governments. Gerakan’s narrow focus on recent losses overlooks the fact that the Malay electorate is, and always has been, divided.

Moreover, the shift towards BN in recent by-elections is not a new phenomenon. Malay voting patterns have always been fluid, and UMNO’s rebuilding efforts, along with PN’s weakened appeal, are key factors behind this trend.

While PAS and Bersatu are working tirelessly on the ground to build voter bases and secure support, Gerakan remains missing in action. It’s easy to critique the performance of coalition partners from the sidelines, but where is Gerakan’s own contribution?

If Gerakan wants to be taken seriously, it needs to do the hard work of reconnecting with voters rather than merely issuing statements from the political periphery.

Dominic’s concerns may hold some merit, but Gerakan is in no position to offer critiques without first addressing its own failures. Since 2008, the party has been on a downward spiral, unable to regain its footing in Penang, national politics, or even within PN.

Dear Dominic, for over a decade, Gerakan has failed to regain any electoral relevance, and your leadership has yet to produce any meaningful results.

Criticising the voting trends within PN is easy, but where is Gerakan in all of this? What exactly has your party contributed?

Instead of pointing fingers, perhaps it’s time to ask: What is Gerakan’s role in PN, and why should anyone care about what your party thinks?

Without clear answers and decisive action to revitalise Gerakan, your party will continue to be viewed as political baggage – a burden that PN may soon find no reason to carry. – Oct 1, 2024



Dr Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Federal Territories Bersatu state secretary.