Letter to Editor
TAKING a backseat view of the recent Malacca state election, one would conclude that Barisan Nasional (BN), in particular Umno, was making a strong political comeback and Pakatan Harapan (PH), namely PKR were the biggest losers.
While it is true that PKR were indeed the greatest losers, we cannot label BN as the greatest victors, though it may seem so.
For one, we cannot discount the low voter turnout which was the lowest in history with only a 66% turnout compared to 85% previously.
An estimated 29% of Chinese and Indian voters opted to stay away while about 34% of others also did not come out to vote.
The best reason for this would of course be fears of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On paper, Umno seem victorious, winning 18 of the 20 seats it contested, but in fact, the party lost an estimated 4% support among Malay voters.
The only reason Umno won so many seats was because it was handed to them on a silver platter by Pakatan Harapan – due to their political shortcomings and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s dismal leadership.
BN’s coalition partners MCA and MIC also actually lost ground marginally – from about 10% to 8% and neither achieved any gains in terms of popular votes.
So, on close scrutiny of the state electoral results, the party which gained the most ground was Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu.
In fact, Bersatu gained about 6% in vote share to 15% overall which was not only concentrated on the Malays, but spread across all communities.
Malay’s support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) is estimated to have increased about 17% and anchored around Bersatu.
Also a large portion of this support was reportedly from the younger voters who viewed Bersatu as the best alternative which offered them the opportunities and security they seek.
Bersatu has well positioned itself as one party with a solid political foundation and able to meet the aspirations of younger voters.
Also, political observers have taken their hats off to Bersatu for going the extra mile by naming Datuk Wira Mas Ermieyati Samsudin as their Chief Minister candidate.
This endeared the party’s support among women voters and also demonstrated the liberal and openness the party leadership practised.
Therefore, to conclude that Umno is winning over the hearts of voters based on the Malacca polls would be an incorrect conclusion.
Bersatu was in fact the party which gained most ground and looks poised for a strong electoral victory in the next national polls.
No matter what, Umno is still riddled with accusations of corruption and power abuse and this is not something the voters can sweep under the carpet.
The best alternative is clearly Bersatu and the voters, especially those coming in soon under Undi-18 to realise this. – Nov 22, 2021
Mohamed Ariffin Ismail
Subang Jaya
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
