OBSERVERS said politicians campaigning in the state polls should focus more on policies and ways to improve the livelihoods of voters instead of personal attacks on opponents.

They said politicians should take the opportunity to enlighten the public on issues and policies affecting them. 

They admitted, however, that people were more interested in gossip rather than serious discussions about the economy.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari appear to be the regular targets of personal attacks.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders have, in turn, trained their guns on caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is Perikatan Nasional’s election director.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic Mazlan Ali said personal attacks happen frequently on social media and during campaigning. 

“In a rally, if you (politician) are given an hour to talk, you’ll spend 45 minutes attacking your opponent and 15 minutes introducing and concluding your speech.

“The next day, that opponent responds on social media. It is never-ending.”

Mazlan said Malaysians liked gossip.

“In developed countries, people want to hear about your plan to fix the economy and lift the standard of living.

“But here, we prefer to listen to political jokes and gossip. For us, that is entertainment.

“Therefore, it is not shocking to see thousands of people gather to listen to a particular person because they know they are going to enjoy the show,” he said.

Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Perikatan Nasional has been relentlessly making personal attacks on PH-BN as well as harping on shallow religious arguments.

“Because of their incompetence in managing Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, the only way they can overcome PH-BN is by attacking them personally.

“Selangor, for instance, showed billions worth of investment since 2008, but Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah can’t do the same. That is why they resort to personal attacks,” he said.

Narrow focus 

Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff of Universiti Putra Malaysia agreed that candidates should touch more on a national issue such as the high cost of living, but noted that in a state election, the focus was narrower.

“In state elections, the focus is on a community or on an area. The scope is much smaller than a general election, which involves the selection of a prime minister.

“But I do agree that they should talk more on core issues and ways to overcome problems,” he added.

Several politicians have pledged to stop making personal attacks on opponents during campaigning.

Pengkalan Chepa PKR chief Syed Mohd Alidustur Syed Mohd Zain said he would focus on explaining the current issues in Kelantan and would tell voters how the PAS-led caretaker government could improve its administration. 

Caretaker Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun shared similar sentiments.

He aimed to meet as many people as he could and listen to problems and suggestions while campaigning.

Six states will head to the polls on Saturday. – August 7, 2023.