AFTER the May 2018 general election, seven by-elections have been held. The earlier four by-elections were won by Pakatan Harapan, indicating that all was well with the governing coalition.

However, the recent three by-elections might have turned the tide of popularity in favour of the BN. 

By-elections in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau have given some indications that the popularity of PH cannot be taken for granted. 

Some hard decisions have to be made if PH is to remain relevant to Malaysians in years to come.

In-depth studies are necessary as to why PH, despite its earlier popularity, is loosing ground not only among Malays but also among non-Malays.

In Cameron Higlands, non-Malays might not have voted for BN but their low turnout and the combined strength of Umno and PAS contributed to the victory of BN. 

Similarly in Semenyih, Malay votes and some number of non-Malay ballots went to the BN candidate.

In Rantau, it was not Malay support for the BN candidate, Mohammed Hassan or Tok Mat, that surprised many, but how some sections of Chinese and Indian communities supported him.

So, what really emerges from the three recent by-elections is that PH cannot take it for granted that non-Malay support will be a fixed deposit. 

Why are non-Malay voters are becoming disillusioned with PH? Is it because their daily lives have not really improved under the new government? Or is it because PH has not delivered what was promised?

While there are no clear answers to the non-performance of PH in the last 11 months or so, the lack of tangible economic benefits for the rakyat resulting from non-implementation of the promises made earlier could be the main reasons.

There is nothing permanent in politics. PH cannot assume  that even if Malay support is not forthcoming, non-Malays will bail them out. This was a mistake made in Rantau. Even some sections of non-Malay voters abandoned PH.

Similarly, the tendency to focus on getting non-Malay support might have been counterproductive in getting the support of the Malays. 

While Umno and PAS worked to get the support of Malays, even to the extent of using race and religion to the maximum, but an effective approach to get the undivided support of non-Malays was somewhat lacking at least in the last three by-elections.

In the case of Rantau, the corruption allegations against Tok Mat simply did not have desired effect in turning away Malay voters. 

Given the primacy of race and religion, matters such as corruption, abuse of power and others really did not matter.

When it came to non-Malay voters, the attempt by some in PH to brag about the achievements of PH apparently failed in convincing them. 

The performance of some PH national leaders were miserable in their campaign speeches.
In short, PH leaders were not able to convince them that their lives have improved under the PH government.

To date, there is not even a schedule to suggest a systematic implementation of the Election Manifesto.

In Negri Sembila, even the long-standing problem of Gatco land settlers has yet  to be resolved under the PH state government. 

Even if macro issues are not significant in by-elections, the failure of the PH government to translate some important election promises might not have gone well with non-Malays. 

It was not Cameron Highlands or Semenyih, but Rantau should be the real eye-opener for the PH. Multi-racial constituencies cannot be taken for granted anymore.

They pose serious challenges for PH in the coming years.

Painful lessons have to be learnt from the last three by-elections. – April 14, 2019.

* Ramasamy Palanisamy reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.