Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said the opposition coalition was specifically targeting Malay voters with this narrative, particularly those who still had doubts about the unity government.
She said there was some shift of Malay support in Perak towards PN, but did not believe this was strong enough to allow the coalition to form the state government in the next election.
“This is PN’s strategy because it knows it’s struggling to penetrate the mixed seats. That’s why its rhetoric is still focused on the Malays.
“But that doesn’t reflect the whole state because the overall landscape there is still 50-50. In fact, some Malay voters are perceived to be returning to Umno, as seen in the Ayer Kuning by-election,” she told FMT.
The Ayer Kuning by-election in April last year saw Umno’s Yusri Bakir defending the seat for his party with a larger majority than his predecessor, the late Ishsam Shahruddin, garnered in the 2022 election.
Perak Bersatu chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu recently claimed that public sentiment in the state indicated a possible change of state government in the next election.
Faizal, also known as Peja, said this stemmed from dissatisfaction with the alliance between former arch-rivals Umno and DAP, which he claimed had “hurt” Malay voters.
However, Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said this was just a strategy to boost the morale of PN supporters.
He said garnering 70% of Malay votes would not guarantee victory, especially if PN fails to resolve its various internal crises – such as its failure to name a new opposition leader and agree on a prime minister candidate – and put forth a quality line-up of leaders.
Zaharuddin also warned that failing to strengthen components like Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party would cost PN in mixed seats, which he said often determine who holds power in Perak.
“Without an inclusive strategy and leaders capable of winning the confidence of non-Malay voters, the narrative that the people ‘want PN to return’ is merely an empty slogan.
“Perak’s politics demand more than just playing up the Umno-DAP issue to garner sympathy. PN must resolve its internal crises and offer policies that will woo all segments of society in the state,” he said.