WHILE the last elections saw voters prioritise issues of governance, race and religion still played a role, said International Movement for a Just World president Chandra Muzaffar.

“In 2008, the Indians and Chinese gave strong support to the opposition. This continued in 2013 where the anti-establishment sentiment against Barisan Nasional continued,” said Chandra.

He said there was a feeling among Chinese and Indians that they were second class citizens and the cause of their suffering was Umno.

Chandra said although it is hard to see the Chinese being a marginalised community, communal politics had impacted the results.

Similarly, Islamist party PAS did very well in this elections by winning 18 federal seats, said the former PKR leader said at the forum organised by Institute of Research Management and Innovation, Faculty of Law and the UM Academic Staff Association.

He said the total number of votes PAS had won showed that religion was still an important factor.

“When the Malays are disillusioned by Umno, they will pick a party that makes them feel emotionally and psychologically comfortable.

“If Umno doesn’t recover, the fight in GE15 will be between PH and PAS. And it is a big challenge for everyone. Religion carries a certain sentiment that can transcend political parties,” he added.

Umno’s Layang-Layang state lawmaker Onn Hafiz Ghazi agreed with Chandra.

“We may want to do away with race based politics but even with Pakatan Harapan are all race-based political parties.”

He said Amanah and Bersatu catered to the Malay-Muslim segment while DAP served mostly the Chinese.

“Onn Jaafar suggested opening up Umno to other races, he was kicked out of Umno. So, whether Umno can open up to all is up to the rest of the members,” said Onn.

Selangor exco Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said one of the reasons PAS left the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in 2015 was because it was losing ground among the Malay voters.

“PAS has always wanted to replace Umno as the dominant Malay party and to be with DAP was like poison to them.

“At that time, Malays were in a dilemma and were concerned that the constitution will be amended if the opposition won.

“They rather put up with a corrupt leader than lose religious power,” said the Amanah leader.

The other speakers were UM economics lecturer Edmund Terence Gomez and UM law lecturer Azmi Sharom. – May 26, 2018.