SHAH ALAM - National issues that are not handled well such as current political issues, rising prices of goods, targeted subsidy implementation and racial sentiments are seen to potentially affect voter support for the government in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election on May 11.
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) International Relations Studies lecturer Dr Hussain Yusri Zawawi said this was because the people saw the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as late in resolving matters.
"Generally, addressing issues impacts support for the current government because these matters involve significant issues and affect all levels of society, potentially influencing the upcoming by-election pattern.
"National issues will indeed determine voter support in Kuala Kubu Baharu. For me, the government still has the opportunity to regain support, especially among the youth, if the social media team plays their role effectively in providing immediate solutions," he told Sinar.
He said this when asked whether the current political issues, the increase in the price of goods, the implementation of targeted subsidies could affect support for the unity government in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election later.
Meanwhile, Hussain also acknowledged that there were greater opportunities for the opposition, considering the situation faced by the government at that time.
He said the opposition has merit or significant opportunities due to the current "weaknesses" in the government's management.
"If the government does not try to resolve major issues involving the people before the by-election in Kuala Kubu Baharu, then the opposition's chances of winning will be brighter," he said.
Meanwhile, Ilham Centre Chief Researcher Associate Professor Dr Mohd Yusri Ibrahim also admitted that if issues related to the people were not dealt with immediately, it will affect support especially from the Malay voters.
"The government actually has sufficient justification to explain the issues related to the prices of goods, cost of living, targeted subsidies, tax policy and so on.
"However, the government needs to further improve the efficiency of the delivery system, especially using easier communication mediums to reach grassroots target groups, for example using community WhatsApp groups," said the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) lecturer.
Yusri added that it needed to be acknowledged that in this aspect of the delivery system, the opposition, especially Pas, has a very powerful delivery mechanism because it has a very efficient grassroots communication chain at the community level.