Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional party flags. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional must go on the offensive if they want to get the Malay vote in the upcoming elections in six states, say political analysts.
They said since the Opposition is almost completely made up of Malay-Muslim parties, much more needs to be done to regain votes that the ruling parties lost in the Malay heartland.
Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will be holding their state elections soon as their state governments did not dissolve their state assemblies for the 15th General Election (GE15) last November.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said for the ruling parties to pull in Malay votes, a strong strategy is needed.
“The main question for Pakatan and Barisan now is who will be the commander-in-chief to lead them onto the battlefield.
“This the dilemma for the Prime Minister [Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim].
“He needs to pull in Malay support, especially among young voters.
“These voters, at one point of time, supported PKR.
“Both Pakatan and Barisan must reach out to first-time voters – the Undi18 group – as these voters had cast their protest vote against unity government parties in the last general election,” said Prof Sivamurugan.
He also said the ruling parties must adopt clever strategies as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are “home ground” for Perikatan Nasional’s PAS and Bersatu.
“For example, in Kedah, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is a popular figure there and Pakatan and Barisan have yet to find a figure to match his popularity among the masses.
“Attacking him [Sanusi] raises sympathy votes for Perikatan and emboldens his strategy to win over the fencesitters.”
The Kedah Mentri Besar has been launching attacks and going on the offensive against the Federal Government, even as Anwar tries his best to reach targeted groups on the ground through Hari Raya open houses.
“The marketing and political manoeuvring by Sanusi actually put Pakatan and Barisan on the defensive.
“Umno must find a clever and stronger strategy if they want to sideline PAS in Kedah,” said Prof Sivamurugan.
He added that the best bet for the ruling parties would be to look beyond race and religion and focus on localised issues in each state.
Political analyst Dr Azmil Tayeb said attacking PAS as being extremist will not work as the Islamist party was partners with Umno not too long ago.
“Corruption and economic issues are better as campaign bait, but it’s hard to keep harping on these issues when there’s nothing concrete to show.
“Getting Malay votes in the Malay heartland, which is dominated by Perikatan parties, is a very tall order for Pakatan and Barisan.
“There needs to be a major reform within Umno, for a start,” he said.
Azmil added that the ruling parties could also make an impact through economic policies.
“Efforts such as reducing the cost of living, providing jobs and spurring investment in these states can work in their favour.
“Otherwise, the status quo may remain,” said Azmil.
In GE15, data showed that the majority of Malay votes in the Malay heartland of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu went to Perikatan parties, which experts dubbed the “Green Wave.”