Anwar acknowledged that there were some who blamed these voters, particularly those in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, for the outcome of the state polls.

“I disagree with certain quarters blaming the Malays, or their understanding (of Malays voting for PN), saying they are easily influenced by racial and religious issues. I disagree,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of Residensi Wilayah here today.

“Our challenge right now is to reach out to them. Because they (the Malays) are easily (influenced by sentiments like) if PH wins, DAP and the Chinese will come to power.

“That’s a simplistic statement but it might convince them. I know that it’s not true, but I will not blame them, because it will take time (to win them over).”

The prime minister also dismissed the notion that the unity government’s Madani Malaysia tagline had been unsuccessful in convincing Malay voters in the state elections.

He said the community needed more time to really understand what the Madani concept entailed before they could be convinced of the unity government’s capability in governing the country.

“I don’t want to blame them. It is incumbent on our machinery and leaders to work hard and communicate our policies to the people,” he said.

PN had made a clean sweep of all state seats in Terengganu on Saturday and nearly did the same in Kelantan and Kedah.

PH-Barisan Nasional managed to retain Penang and Negeri Sembilan with a two-thirds majority, but PN denied them the same in Selangor.