State polls: Find out what voters need instead of harping on 3R issues, says ex-EC official

PETALING JAYA: Candidates contesting in the upcoming Aug 12 state elections should find out what their voters need instead of influencing them with unnecessary emotional issues that touch on the 3R – race, religion and royal institutions, says a former Election Commission (EC) official.

However, a political scientist believes that issues of race and religion are expected to be raised during the state elections.

Rather than playing up sensitive issues that touch on the 3R, former EC deputy chairman Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said candidates should address issues that are affecting their voters.

Their campaigns, he added, should include key factors that could improve the livelihood of the voters, adding that it is vital for candidates to recognise issues that are unique to each constituency.

Speaking up about the cost of living, introducing new policies, improving infrastructure, and their manifesto should be enough for candidates to woo voters, he added.

The former senior EC official said playing up 3R sentiments, which are national issues, brings no benefit for voters in these state elections.

"Know your audience. Get your priorities straight. Candidates should focus on issues that will be brought up in their respective state legislative assemblies when they reconvene.

"Why should we influence voters unnecessarily with racial and religious issues, causing disharmony and suspicion?

"What voters in these state elections need are improvements that are tailored to their needs. For example, some places may need better drainage systems, while others may need good road infrastructure.

"These are among the issues that would actually help them. Sparking their anger with racial and religious sentiments would not benefit them in their daily lives," he said in an interview yesterday.

Wan Ahmad advised voters to be smart when choosing their new state assemblymen by choosing those who are capable of making changes that would benefit their constituents.

"Observe all candidates closely and vote based on their merit. Choose quality over emotional issues," he said.

Wan Ahmad hoped that political parties would refrain from using 3R issues during the campaign period. He also expressed confidence that the authorities would be able to lower the temperature when necessary.

However, Prof James Chin from the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania said it is unlikely that the 3R issues will go away anytime soon as it is "the only game in town".

He said despite the fact that fundamental issues like hunger and poverty deserve to take centre stage during the campaign, voters would quickly forget about them if race or religion came up.

"Even if they (political parties) can't use 3R directly, they will make reference to it. It's not that talking about the economy can sway the voters, but when it comes to race and religion, they have a stronger influence.

"Race and religion are the key mobilisation factors for Malaysian voters. Nobody can escape 3R in Malaysian politics, especially during elections," said Chin.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued "a final warning" to all parties not to exploit issues touching on race, religion and the royal institutions, which can split the country during the upcoming polls.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police would monitor the situation without exception.

The six state elections will be held in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan and Selangor on Aug 12, with nomination day on July 29.