SINGAPORE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife were recently in Pahang for a holiday although it seemed more of a “working holiday” because Singapore leaders rarely take their eye off the ball.
The couple did a bit of the tourist round and called on the Sultan of Pahang and his consort while Lee also made a few “political stops”.
It is quite apparent the former prime minister was curious about the green wave and whether it would gather momentum.
He also met Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the PAS leader who has emerged as a potential prime minister candidate.
Singapore leaders have long been concerned about the political Islam of PAS and Lee’s late father had travelled to meet Pakatan Harapan leaders back then.
Does our southern neighbour sense where the Malay vote might be going?
The Malay base does not appear to have been affected by Perikatan Nasional’s internal troubles nor has it been swayed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to defend Malay issues.
Instead, the Prime Minister’s endeavours to win the Malay hearts and minds have rubbed non-Malays up the wrong way, with many Chinese expressing disappointment that those who did not support him are being preferred over those who rallied in droves behind him.
They are upset about his affirmation of bumiputra policies, his stand on issues connected to mosques and temples, his over-accommodating approach to Umno, his seeming resistance to the UEC or Unified Examination Certificate and the list goes on.
In their eyes, the Prime Minister of their dreams has become too Malay and not Malaysian enough for their liking.
If that is really the case, then why is the Madani government still struggling to win the Malay war? Why is it so difficult for him to win the trust of conservative Malays.
According to the aide of a former minister, a lot of it has to do with the state of the economy. But at the heart of it all is the fact that PKR is a multi-racial party and DAP, the anchor of his coalition, is dominated by Chinese. That is what is holding back the conservative Malays.
“He is unable to crack that glass ceiling. At the same time, he is up against Malay parties which have been beating the Malay and Islamic drum for decades,” said the above aide.
Moreover, elections are often about numbers and Malays have the numbers while the Chinese population is shrinking.
Pakatan’s narrative appeals mostly to the young professionals, moderate urban Malays and some civil servants but not to conservative Malays.
Political commentator Khaw Veon Szu said PKR’s strength lay in mixed seats even at the height of the Reformasi movement.
“The party is not strong in the Malay heartland and the divide became deeper after the Undi18 cohort flooded the ecosystem,” said Khaw.
Young Malay voters have been indoctrinated by decades of Islamic teachings and cries of “Allahuakbar!” resonate better with them than people shouting “Reformasi!”
Fortunately for Anwar, the non-Malay vote is not exactly in jeopardy as yet because of that, “If not Anwar Ibrahim then who else?” conundrum.
The Chinese are quite clear about what they want in a national leader or more specifically, a prime minister candidate - someone intelligent with economic know-how and who is more Malaysian than Malay.
Khaw said the problem is that what the Chinese prefer is not what the Malays want.
For instance, the non-Malays in Perikatan Nasional are seen as stage props while the Malay leaders in DAP would lose their deposits if they had to contest in Malay seats.
Each race has its own bubble-wrapped view of what Malaysia should be and the sort of leader best suited to lead.
“We need to work towards finding the meeting point,” said an officer serving a Sabah minister.
The above officer said former ministers Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli have the sort of appeal that cuts across race and are seen as prime minister material.
Not everyone likes Khairy or the party he represents but they agree he has the brains, ability and drive.
Rafizi’s appeal lies in his multi-ethnic outlook and honesty which explains the outrage over suggestions of graft on his part.
Other names floated as potential prime minister candidates include International Trade and Investment Minister Datuk Seri Johari Ghani and PAS’ Ahmad Samsuri.
Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz was seen in that light too but joining PKR has not helped his prospects.
These are some of the names that have become familiar faces in the Chinese vernacular media.
According to the above aide of a former minister, Khairy and Rafizi are leading the pact because they are out there talking about issues and allowing society to assess their intellect and ideas.
Khairy has mastered the art of staying relevant - hosting podcasts and radio shows, turning up at Hari Raya events in full Malay costume and even playing pickleball.
Khairy has what the above aide calls “political energy”.
Anwar has to win over the Malays because they will have the most say on his bid for a second term as Prime Minister.
The first major test of where the Malay vote will go could happen as early as June with intensifying speculation that the Johor state assembly will be dissolved next month.
In the meantime, it is likely that many Malaysians have begun looking ahead as to who might be their next ideal prime minister even as they remind themselves, “if not Anwar Ibrahim, then who else?”
> The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own
