The Malaysian Insight

IN the 2018 general election, Khairul Anwar, had made up his mind to vote for Pakatan Harapan because of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s influence.

However, this time around, 45-year-old owner of a restaurant in Permatang Pauh, Penang, has yet to decide which party to vote for.

Khairul said he will scrutinise the candidates before deciding.

“This time I will look at the candidate first,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He added that the change has to do with the attitude of political parties in Malaysia, which are too concerned about holding on to power rather than looking after the welfare of the people.

Khairul said this includes the PH government in Penang, which he said has changed after winning the last election.

“As Malay voters, we are disappointed. DAP used to be okay. But now it’s very bad. DAP is ruling like thugs. Local authorities have no discretion; they will confiscate our belongings if we open without a licence,” he said.

Anti-Islam DAP

He said flooding in the state is of great concern to the residents.

“Penang has many migrant workers. You don’t have to go far; next to my restaurant, there are foreigners running grocery stores.

“But if it is Malays, they will be raided,” he said.

He said the majority of the Malays perceived DAP as anti-Islam because it interferes with religious matters.

For example, he said, DAP defended single mother Loh Siew Hong, whose children were converted to Islam without her permission.

Khairul said the issue is sensitive to the Malays.

“That’s why I will reject DAP. But if it is Amanah or PKR, maybe I can accept, and look at the candidate.

“This does not mean that I will vote for PAS or I will reject the party because their leaders are religious,” he said.

H said PH will once again retain the government in Penang even if Malay support for the coalition declines.

This is because voters do not trust Barisan Nasional, he said.

The Penang government was formed after DAP, PKR and PAS defeated BN in the 2008 election.

DAP won 19 state seats, PKR (9) and PAS (1) in Permatang Pauh.

In 2018, PH won 11 parliamentary seats and 37 state assembly seats.

Malay voters for BN

A trader in Permatang Pauh, who wishes to be known as Pak Lang, 54, is confident PH will keep Penang.

“Permatang Pauh is a PH, PKR stronghold. It is really difficult for any other party to win,” he said.

Rodziah Mohd Ismail, 59, who lives in a flat in Sungai Pinang, said she rejected DAP because it “oppresses” Malays.

“It is true that I have always voted for BN; I have never voted for PH, DAP.

“We can see the difference in aid distribution. It seems biased, that side, (the Chinese) get more aid,” she said.

Divided

In Selangor, voters said they would stick with PH even though the state has faced constant floods and irregular garbage collection.

Housewife Rodziah Mat, 45, from Klang, said this is because BN is perceived to be corrupt.

“We are dealing with local issues. such as garbage collection. Sometimes it is not collected for days and the area smells bad.

“We have complained many times. But I don’t know whether to vote for BN because they are corrupt.

“That’s why I said I will look at the candidate first. But if the candidate is not Malay I will reject him,” she said.

Khairil Yahya, 59, who lives in Ampang, said he will vote for Umno because he is a member of the party.

He admitted that BN will find it difficult to penetrate Selangor.

“I am an Umno member and I think it will be difficult for Umno to win. Because the ex-MP here, Zuraida Kamaruddin, although she has integrity issues, she has been there for a long time, her support is still there.

“And PH also has support as well. So it’s hard to say. It is true that there are management issues, but the state government can explain all that,” he said.

Political analyst Azmil Tayeb said PH needs a high voter turnout to win.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer said PH will be able to stay in power in the state even if the support of Malay voters drop.

“Even if Malay voters who supported Bersatu and Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018 do not vote for PH again, PH will still be able to maintain its position in Penang and Selangor,” he said.

He said areas such as Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau in Penang are expected to show a drop in Malay support due to the issues involving fishermen and land reclamation.

“In Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Permatang and Jeram, where PH won with a small majority, could see PH losing due to low Malay votes.

“Umno stands a chance there,” he added. – October 31, 2022.