GE15: Sheraton Move leaves lasting impact on voters

SHAH ALAM -The Sheraton Move which led to the fall of the 22-month-old Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has caused voters to be “sick” of the political dynamic in the country.

Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) sociopolitical analyst Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the movement definitely had an impact on the political landscape in Malaysia.

However, he said with the enforcement of the Anti-hopping law, it would probably be different.

“Now we have laws such as the Anti-Party Hopping Bill, so there is no way for them (people's representatives) to jump parties,” he told Sinar Daily.

Asked whether voters were still keen to vote for those involved in the movement in the 15th General Election (GE15), he said it depended on the voters group.

He said for the middle-class and urban groups, they will be more critical when it came to voting especially during the coming election.

“However, for the other groups, I think they will stick to their respective votes,” he said.

Commenting on the assumption that there will be less Pakatan Harapan (PH) voters turnout during polling day, he said it was not true.

“If anything, the less turnout will be because of the transportation cost as it is expensive and it involves energy and time,” he said.

Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Ismail Sualman said voters were still angry about the Sheraton Move as they were hoping for problems to be solved but the movement got in the way.

“The people are still angry but it depends on the political party to make up for it.

“I think majority of Malaysians are angry with the situation because the ruling government at that time was given the mandate to solve problems in the country but it did not happen due to the (Sheraton) move," he said.

Commenting further, he said the voters would most probably review their decision to vote for certain political parties involved with the movement.

However, he said, it is all depended on the political strategies and propaganda of the parties.

He also denied claims that there would be less turnout on polling day, saying that the people were actually eager to vote as it was an opportunity for them to decide who was more suitable to govern the country.