PAKATAN Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) can still secure the Malay vote despite the current trend showing a growing preference for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said. 

Salahuddin, who is also Johor PH chief, told The Malaysian Insight that Umno, despite its internal crisis, has hardcore supporters, while there are certain segments of Malay voters who back PH.

“PN won’t be getting all the Malay votes. Umno has its own hardcore supporters, despite its (internal) crisis.

“It is the same with PH. We have the support from the Malays, too. 

“However, we cannot be overconfident or too complacent. We can win in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan, and can offer a tough fight in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu,” said the Pulai MP.

Salahuddin said the outcomes of the state polls will offer a new perspective on Malay voters’ allegiances, even as several studies show many prefer PN. 

He said Umno, once a dominant Malay party, is gathering its strength again after its five-year leadership crisis.

“Umno has seen two general assemblies and we could see the party was gaining strength. 

“If Malays have rejected Umno, Umno wouldn’t be able to prevail, the president and deputy president have not been ousted.” 

“We acknowledge studies from various bodies, but in politics, data is not the decider. Research is important for us to move forward,” said the domestic trade and cost of living minister.

“This time it is different from the general election. In the general election, it was (between) PH, BN and PN, but now there will be (one-on-one) fights between PH-BN and PN.”

Some analysts said Malays voted PN in the last general election. They said PN’s chances of winning 80% of the votes in the state elections are realistic.

But Salahuddin said cooperation between unity government components is intact. 

He said so far, no other parties have come up with plans to oust Anwar Ibrahim from office, unlike when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister in 2018.

“I can say that in 2018, just two to three months in power, there was already talk of Dr Mahathir not being able to stay on for the full term and Anwar was not going to be PM.

“There were already movements before the infamous Sheraton Move. But under this unity government, I haven’t heard anything about replacing Anwar. 

“In fact, all of us, regardless of our party, are working seriously to improve the country and are working in harmony.

“We have GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak), GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah), BN, PH and Warisan, but we all work well together,” Salahuddin said. – June 28, 2023.