Changing political narrative does not guarantee that non-Malay voters will support Bersatu

SHAH ALAM - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) proposal to shift its political narrative from a pro-Malay Islamic stance to one focused on advocating for the welfare of various communities does not guarantee that non-Malay voters will support them in the future.

In fact, there have been too many racist statements made by the majority of Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders, including those from Bersatu, which have hurt the feelings of non-Malay voters, making it difficult for the group to accept them again.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said therefor it was not surprising if non-Malay communities, especially the Chinese, rejected PN candidates in any elections, including in the recent Mahkota state by-election in Johor last month.

"Even though they intended to attack DAP, it indirectly appears as an attack on the Chinese community, resulting in 95 per cent of Chinese voters supporting the candidates representing the unity government.

"For instance, during the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, the initial momentum that PN seemed to gain from Chinese voters who were dissatisfied with the unity government's performance stopped after Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari personally attacked the DAP candidate with racial sentiments," he told Sinar.

Hisommudin also dismissed the idea that Bersatu should amend its party constitution or introduce a special motion to adopt a more inclusive political narrative aimed at attracting non-Malay voters.

"In my opinion, there is no need to amend the constitution as this is merely a political strategy. It suffices if the political bureau or those related to election portfolios or communications carry out the required narrative.

"However, a motion could also be presented to demonstrate Bersatu's seriousness in changing their political approach so that all members can undertake their duties with full commitment," he added.

He said this in response to a statement by Bersatu Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who was quoted as saying that the party needed to offer a broader narrative advocating for all races and religions without forgetting its primary philosophy centred on Malay Muslims.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who was now vying for a position in the party's Supreme Council in the party election next month said Bersatu must champion the issues of the people regardless of voter backgrounds as a strategy to capture Putrajaya.

The Machang MP suggested that PN should devise strategies to empower the Bersatu associate wing and the Pas Supporters Assembly to garner support from various communities, thereby aiding them in increasing the number of seats won in the upcoming general elections.

However, Hisommudin opined that there was no guarantee that Bersatu will gain support from non-Malay voters even if they made drastic changes by appointing leaders from their associate wing to hold top positions such as vice president or members of the Supreme Council in the upcoming party elections.

"For me, the establishment of a associate wing does not guarantee that a party will gain non-Malay voter support. It must stem from political will, a genuine stance and statements that sincerely acknowledge the rights of those in need," he said.

Meanwhile, political analyst from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali suggested that Bersatu should have long ago altered its political narrative to align with the demographics of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious populace.

Mazlan said if Bersatu and PN wanted to return to power in Putrajaya, they must become an inclusive coalition and gain support from various ethnic and religious communities, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.

"PN needs to emulate the efforts of PH-BN, which promotes a universal agenda and power-sharing if they wish to regain the trust of the people and voters in the upcoming 16th general election," he said.