The Malaysian Insight

PAKATAN Harapan will not be able to break the Umno hold in Felda settlements if they just rely on Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s regular hammering of Prime Minister Najib Razak at his ceramah.

Ilham Centre’s chief executive Hisomuddin Bakar told The Malaysian Insight that what the settlers actually want to hear is this: how will PH make their lives better.

“Presently, PH is not really aggressive in its campaign in Felda areas. They depend too much on the Mahathir factor to explain issues and attack the administration,” Hisomuddin said.

He pointed out that although the turnout at Dr Mahathir’s ceramah was good, the crowd did not mean the settlers are going to turn their backs on Umno whom they have been supporting for years.

Felda voters contributed some 15% of the total votes in the last elections, the majority going to the Umno-led Barisan Nasional.

“Dr Mahathir has the ability and right communication style that goes well with Felda settlers. He simplifies complicated issues like the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and the mismanagement by the government.

“He had also attacked the lavish lifestyles of Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor,” said Hisomuddin.

And while the crowd enjoyed listening to him, what mattered most are bread-and-butter issues.

“PH has to study the settlers’ psychology, their needs and present them with solutions that will benefit the community.

“The basic problem there is the income. They earn RM1,500 a month after they handed over land for Felda to supervise.

“The money is not enough to sustain them with the rising cost of living and the fluctuating petrol prices.

“PH must offer the settlers something that looks after their needs,” he said.

These were the findings of Ilham Centre’s study on the settlers in five areas in Pahang – Felda Keratong, Selancar, Chini, Bukit Goh and Jengka. The study was conducted between January 15 and February 22 this year.

Support for BN among Felda settlers, he said, was 63% in Pahang, and close to 90% in Johor.

“Only in Kelantan, the support is lower at 59% at the parliamentary level and 58% at state level.”

Hisomuddin’s views were shared by Institut Darul Ehsan deputy chairman Dr Redzuan Othman, who said Felda settlers are loyal towards Umno, not towards its leaders.

“The first, second and even third generation of Felda settlers are almost certainly loyal towards Umno. Unless they have left the settlements,” he said.

Redzuan said the large turnout at Dr Mahathir’s events was no indication of support but curiosity.

“He was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years. They just want to listen to him.” – May 10, 2017.