MALAYSIANS have difficulty because the current political climate is rife with accusations and allegations. Recent events involving Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) have enraged the Malays.
The PN chairman was summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday (March 9) to give a statement as part of the final investigation into Jana Wibawa project-related issues.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General (AG) authorised the MACC to charge the Bersatu president on Friday at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
Many people are frustrated and outraged by this move, believing it is a targeted prosecution of the opposition. Many people believe Muhyiddin has made significant sacrifices for the country and should not be treated this way because he has served the country for a long time. His contributions are not to be overlooked.
The ruling government consisting of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) seems to be going after the opposition instead of focusing on addressing the issues the people face.
Furthermore, the Malays are agitated by recent remarks made by a PH minister who stated that youths who voted for PN in the previous general election lacked higher education and a steady income.
This statement, along with the news of Muhyiddin’s prosecution, has led many Malays to believe that the PH-BN government will be punished in the upcoming state elections in six states. It has only fuelled the fire as Malays see it as an insult to their community and a manifestation of the government’s disregard for their voices and opinions.
PH losing grip?
The country is in disarray with people expressing outrage and frustration over the government’s actions on social media. People are suffering yet the government continues to focus on political manoeuvring and personal gain which will only worsens matters.
The PH-BN coalition’s election victory was seen as a ray of hope for the people but such hope has appeared to be misplaced.
According to a recent Merdeka Center election survey, Malay support for PN is 20% with support for BN declining. This indicates a promising trend for the PN and a shift in Malay preference towards the coalition.
The survey also discovered that 29% of Malays were unsure or had no preference, indicating there is still room for PN to gain more support. Furthermore, 72% of voters believed the country was heading in the wrong direction which could benefit PN as it positions itself as a solution to its current problems.
According to an election results analysis, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did not receive widespread support from the Malay community – only 11% of the community’s votes went to the PH coalition.
This represents a rejection by most Malays and a sacrifice by 62% of all voters. This trend reflects the country’s deep racial and religious divide as well as the PH coalition’s failure to capture the majority of Malay votes.
Now, the nation is rising against a brutal government, and the people are determined to make their voices heard.
The PH-BN government should remember that they will not be in power forever and that their actions now will have long-term consequences. The Malays are a proud and dignified community and their rage should not be dismissed lightly.
With it, recent events and remarks have only served to widen the nation’s divide while further agitating the Malays. The government must pay attention to the people’s concerns and needs. The country requires unity and stability which the government must provide. – March 10, 2023
Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Federal Territories’ information chief for Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
