‘Malay unity’ theme drove Chinese votes to DAP, says analyst

‘Malay unity’ theme drove Chinese votes to DAP, says analyst

4 hours ago

Dineskumar Ragu

Oh Ei Sun says Chinese voters were uncomfortable with the election theme actively championed by PAS.

The alliance of Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, which campaigned on a theme of Malay-Muslim unity, resulted in a sweeping Melaka election victory.

PETALING JAYA:

Unease over the “Malay unity” theme championed by PAS and Barisan Nasional drove Chinese voters in Melaka towards DAP and Pakatan Harapan, helping the party retain its strongholds, a political analyst says.

Oh Ei Sun.

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the voter sentiment arose largely because PAS had become a key proponent of the “Malay unity” theme through Perikatan Nasional’s alliance with Barisan Nasional.

The pact resulted in 24 victories in the 28 seats contested, while DAP won all its four contests for PH, comfortably retaining its two Chinese-majority strongholds, Bandar Hilir and Kota Laksamana, as well as the mixed seats of Kesidang and Ayer Keroh.

“I think Chinese voters are still uncomfortable with this so-called Malay unity theme, especially as PAS is an active participant in it,” Oh told FMT.

Another analyst, Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said Chinese voters had little choice but to support DAP in the current political climate, which he said has become increasingly polarised.

Similarly, Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the “Malay unity” theme had further strengthened Umno’s electoral position in its stronghold belt spanning Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.

“PH could not counter the talk of Malay-Muslim unity pushed by Umno and PAS,” he told FMT.

Slow reforms, PKR’s woes

Oh attributed PKR’s poor performance to the slow pace of reforms and infighting within the party, which he said has eroded voter confidence and led to an exodus of leaders and MPs to Bersama.

Azmil Tayeb.

Azmil said the highly polarised voting trend along ethnic lines does not bode well for a multiethnic party like PKR which would benefit only if PN and BN contested separately.

Amanah also suffered a major setback, with its vice-president and former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari losing his Bukit Katil seat. Adly was defeated by PAS candidate Ridzuan Sarif in a straight fight.

Azmil and Mazlan both said the consolidation of Malay votes contributed to Adly’s defeat. “He still has support. It is just that the Malay-Muslim blue wave is bigger than his own influence as a former chief minister,” Mazlan said.

PH trust deficit among Malay voters

Both analysts said the results pointed to an apparent trust deficit among Malay voters towards PH, resulting in their support consolidating around the BN-PN bloc.

Azmil said PH needed to do a better job of highlighting its achievements in addressing bread-and-butter issues. “Simply touting good macroeconomic indicators is not good enough if people don’t see the direct benefits in their daily lives,” he said.

Mazlan Ali.

Mazlan suggested that PH work with Malay NGOs to identify ways of expanding its influence among the Malay community. “Whenever Umno and PAS join forces, the Malays gravitate towards them – and not PH,” he said.

Oh said PH needed to engage in soul-searching following its latest electoral defeat. With a year left before the 16th general election, he said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim needed to strengthen the party, although he was sceptical about whether this could be achieved.

The defeat in Melaka was PH’s fourth on the trot after similar losses at the state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan.