POLITICAL observers have warned that the unity government, especially Pakatan Harapan, must not take non-Malay voters for granted or it will suffer in the next general election

They told The Malaysian Insight that the Anwar Ibrahim-led government, and PH especially, must avoid overconfidence in expecting non-Malay support, a sentiment reflected in recent state polls and several by-elections.

However, in recent months, there have been murmurs of discontent, particularly from the Indian community, regarding what is perceived as the government’s efforts to gain Malay support.

Merdeka Centre director of programme Ibrahim Suffian said the possibility of non-Malays sitting out from voting in the next GE is always there.

He added the anger shown by the Indian community in recent months may also affect the unity government’s chances in the future.

“The government cannot take non-Malay voters for granted. They are not homogeneous.

“They can always choose to sit out from voting and this will give a huge impact and will cause the government dearly.

“Some in the Indian community have expressed dissatisfaction and if they decided to go against the government – although they don’t outnumber the Chinese – Anwar’s coalitions will certainly feel the effect,” he said.

Citing Selangor state polls for example, Ibrahim said if the non-Malays decide to stay out, PH may face an uphill task to win.

‘Chinese look at economy’

Agreeing with Ibrahim is Ilham Centre’s Hisomuddin Bakar.

The executive director for the pollster said the government may lose the non-Malay support if they fail to fix the economy.

Hisomuddin said that any drop in non-Malay votes will dent PH-BN hope to be in power.

“At the moment it is true that the non-Malays are fully behind PH-BN and this is evident in some areas where the votes were as high as 95%.

“But they cannot take this for granted because voting patterns and voting behavior can change. What changes the behaviour is the issue – for example the economy.

“The Chinese will look at the economy and ask if this government can steer it. If the government does nothing, they stand to lose.

“Even if the non-Malays choose to not vote for any party, the drop of percentage will definitely trouble PH,” said Hisomuddin.

‘Listen to their grouses’

Meanwhile Dr Oh Ei Sun reminded the government to value the non-Malays’ support or they may find it difficult to replicate their previous electoral successes.

The principal advisor of Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia said if the government loses the non-Malays support, a slim majority would go to the other side, thus bringing about a theocratic government.

“The government must listen to their grouses, take them seriously and not take them for granted. Losing the non-Malays would be the end of PH-BN.

“It will be hard for the government to repeat its success if they lose the non-Malay support,” he said.

In GE15, more than 80% of non-Malay voters supported PH and almost a similar proportion of Malay voters rejected that coalition.

Opposition pact Perikatan Nasional, meanwhile, enjoyed a huge Malay support, winning almost all seats in the northern Malay states. – December 10, 2023