The Malaysian Insight

ANWAR Ibrahim must get his policies right to win over Malay voters who had backed Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the last general elections, analysts said.

The experts told The Malaysian Insight what was missing was major policy changes to improve Malay economic empowerment that can swing back Malay support, especially in time for the state elections expected by this July.

However, they noted the incentives and support announced by the prime minister since he formed the unity government in November included aid to low-income groups, farmers and fishermen; most of whom are from the Malay community.

Political analyst Jeniri Amir sees Anwar’s biggest challenge is solving the issues of poverty, cost of living, education and assistance to small and medium traders.

Once these have been resolved, only then can the prime minister be able to resolve the perception problem of Malay voters towards DAP, he said.

“We know the big challenge for Pakatan Harapan (PH) is to attract the attention of Malay voters but the problem is the presence of DAP in PH.

“The Malays are really suspicious of DAP, that’s why they tend to choose PN. That’s why Anwar can’t win the hearts of the Malay and Bumiputera electorate.

“So if Anwar is committed and succeeds in dealing with the problems of the Malays, it is not impossible that PH will succeed in winning the hearts of Malay voters,” Jeniri said.

The senior fellow of the National Council of Professors added that the Tambun MP must ensure that the agenda to defend the rights of the Malays is made without marginalising other races.

“I think not enough is being done (to fight for the Malay agenda) but we cannot deny the commitment of PH to fight for the cause of the Malays. At the same time we need to be careful because of the presence of DAP in PH.

“The important thing is to balance the interests of the struggle of the Malays without marginalising the welfare or fate of other races,” he said.

Another analyst, Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, said some of Anwar’s political moves could backfire and send Malay support ever further away.

The International Islamic University lecturer said the unity government is not focused on big economic projects but on small traders.

He said it is not wrong to build mega projects or relationships with the rich.

“What is wrong is to give wealth to cronies,” said Tunku Mohar.

In the last general election, PN, through its Malay-based lynchpin party Bersatu and Islamist party PAS, managed to win over the Malay heartland states and made inroads into Malay- dominated seats in Selangor and Penang.

A study by political analyst Bridget Welsh showed that only around 11% of Malay voters, especially in rural areas, supported PH.

This is expected to impact PH’s chances in the state elections in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Financial aid is important

Putra Business School senior lecturer Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said Anwar, who is also finance minister, could be on the right track with his incentives and support to win the Malay vote.

He added what is needed is successful implementation of these measures so that the Malay voters enjoy the results and impact of the benefits.

“If possible, we don’t want to tie the hearts of the voters with empty election promises and manifestos.

“The approach this time must focus on the amount of allocations channelled, the impact of how the living standards of Bumiputera, Malays have been successfully lifted.

“On how many of them can continue their studies and get better jobs,” he added.

Razman also said it was not necessary for Anwar’s government to have a new Bumiputera economy policy.

“It is not necessary that every time a new government comes in it has to introduce a new policy.

“We know the existing policy that has been drafted is good enough, only the implementation needs to be improved to get results,” he said.

Lecturer Mazlan Ali, meanwhile, said he was confident that all the aid efforts introduced by the prime minister can attract the support of Malay voters for PH in the forthcoming state polls.

“We can see in terms of incentives and assistance in the budget that a lot has been allocated to the B40 group.

“This is different from when Dr Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister (in 2018). Aid was greatly reduced.

“But with Anwar, he continued the existing assistance such as giving one-off cash payments that were not withdrawn and added other assistance as well,” he said.

Mazlan said the increased assistance to vulnerable groups was important to maintain support.

“Similarly, many incentives are given to farmers, smallholders and fishermen, the majority of whom are Malays, so they indirectly give the message of protecting the rights of the Malays,” he said. – April 4, 2023.