THE longevity of the present unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seems to be the focus of most Malaysians.It is argued that if the government fails to sustain or even increase Malay support, the chances of its survival might be in question.In the 15th General Election (GE15), Pakatan Harapan (PH) might have obtained an average of more than 20% of Malay support.
Recent polls do not give much confidence to the unity government, both random and non-random. Opinion polls are important indicators of political trends, but there is a discernible gap between what is projected and what is reality.
At best, these polls are more like mere guides than anything else.The last GE15 was in November 2022, state elections might be held in June 2023. Much water might have flowed under the bridge during the intervening period.The green wave might have catapulted Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) success in the last GE15 with more than 50% of Malay support. Whether this record can be sustained in the state elections in seven months remains to be seen.The green wave might still be relevant to the success of PN parties such as Bersatu and PAS.The performance of the unity government might not have been that impressive, although it introduced a non-controversial budget. The performance of the ministers is still too early to gauge.The green wave might not be on an unilinear trajectory.
The road for PN might not be as smooth as before the last GE15. The recent exposure of corruption among certain Bersatu leaders might not entice the coalition as a whole to the Malay voters. It might have come to the senses of some sections of Malay voters that PN might not be that clean after all.Thus, the boomerang that was thrown against certain UMNO leaders for corruption might come back to hit the PN leaders. The investigation of the MACC is still in progress, how wide the net is going to be cast remains to be seen.PAS leaders might not be directly involved in corruption, but the disquiet of its leaders about the involvement of some Bersatu leaders in the Jana Wibawa programme seems deafening.Government policies and measures taken by the present government cannot prevent the manifestation of the green wave.The green wave is there, but its effectiveness in denying Malay votes to the PH coalition remains to be seen.In the next few months ahead, Anwar needs to be well positioned to ensure a thorough investigation of the misdeeds of the Jana Wibawa programme. Such an exposure is the best available option for Anwar to mitigate the worst and most worrying effects of the green wave.The green wave phenomenon is not perennial, but can be diluted and made ineffective if some PN leaders are exposed as corrupt.PAS leaders who are quiet about corruption and other misdeeds are condoning corruption. — March 5, 2023
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
