VOTERS are unlikely to be swayed by all the promises made in election manifestos but rather rely on extracts as provided by the political parties, observers said.

They said voters would not waste time sifting through the manifestos but would instead choose a party or a candidate who they believe can deliver after the elections.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s political science lecturer Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said voters’ preferences are not influenced by manifestos.

Citing Selangor as an example, Tunku Mohar said Pakatan Harapan(PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have unveiled extensive manifestos for the richest and most-developed state in Malaysia.

“But the Selangor people will vote based on whom they think can best deliver their election promises,” he said.

“Voters also don’t read manifestos. They just look at extracts from the manifestos, especially in terms of what cash assistance they will get from the different parties.

“In that sense, manifestos are not the reason for voters’ political preferences.”

He said the situation is even more telling in the case of fence sitters as both coalitions have not offered anything unique or excellent to attract this group.

He, however, said with its track record of being in power for three terms in Selangor, PH is at an advantage to convince voters to continue voting for it.

“It can easily drive home the point if they ask voters to compare Selangor with the three states under PN’s rule,” he said.

“It should be a simple yet powerful comparison to reinforce PH’s importance in bringing development to Selangor.”

Tunku Mohar said PN’s manifesto for Selangor looks very much similar to what PH-BN is offering.

“The first time I read the PN manifesto for Selangor, I thought it was plagiarised from PH’s,” he said.

“Only a name-change and a difference in amounts to be given. Manifestos are gimmicks, so voters are driven mainly by rewards or fears.”

Caretaker Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari, who launched the PH-BN manifesto, said the theme “52 Commitments to Continue Five Years of Excellence in Selangor” was specially formulated to fulfil key goals to make the state even more glorious.

The manifesto encompasses 52 initiatives.

This was followed by PN, whose Selangor manifesto contains 112 pledges.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, when launching the manifesto, themed “Selangor Baharu, Kita Bangkit” (New Selangor, We Rise), said the coalition’s offer comprises seven main thrusts and 25 approaches with the main focus on alleviating the cost of living for the people and boosting business and the state economy.

Amirudin has claimed that PN’s manifesto was similar to PH-BN’s.

Voters go for personal touch

University of Tasmania’s James Chin said generally, manifestos do not play an important role among Malay voters.

“The majority of voters will probably not be swayed. Manifestos are more of an urban thing. People tend to read the headlines and not so much the details,” he said.

“I believe manifestos play a minor role in affecting the results. This time around, the candidates will play an important role as the people want to see who has that personal touch.”

However, he said it will be difficult to oust the PH-BN Selangor government unless Umno suffers a major setback with its supporters defecting to PN.

“I don’t think that will happen. PN will make some headway but not enough to overturn the results,” he said.

“However, there is also a large chunk of young voters who have not yet decided on which party (to vote for) or even decided if they are going to vote.

“The most important thing is whether they are going to come out to vote. The turnout figures are important.”

Oh Ei Sun of Singapore Institute of International Affairs, however, said it would appear that an increasing number of Selangor voters are likely to go whichever side that could paint a more conservative and religious socio-political outlook.

He said the manifestos could just be an election gimmick.

He also did not think fence sitters would be influenced by the manifestos.

“There are only a few PH supporters who may sit at home. Some of them may be persuaded by the manifestos to come out to vote,” he said.

As for PN’s chances in Selangor, he said it might deny PH the two-thirds majority. – August 8, 2023.