Did PN Make a Mistake?

Opposition leaders may have accused Anwar of being a dishonest person. Some may remember that he (Anwar) had first created an image of being a champion of multiracialism and then he created an impression that he would be able to sway the Malays who had voted for PN in GE 15 to his side. The opposition has internalised Anwar's narrative. So, has PN ended up dancing to Anwar’s tune? (This article is based largely on views shared by Nehru Sathiamoorthy in FMT on 8 August 2023)

PN's focus on the Malay electorate was not necessary. Post GE 15, PN already had the Malay vote in the bag. If PN did not focus too hard on the Malays, they could still have counted on the Malay vote.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my

Anwar, however, had succeeded in making PN so insecure about its ability to hold the Malay vote, that PN increased its focus on the Malay electorate. This is to the point that it was literally scaring the Malays to stay with it.

As for the non-Malays, PN should not have so easily succumbed to the narrative that the non-Malays are solidly behind Anwar. They may not be!

If PN had not alienated the non-Malays by ramping up the racial and religious rhetoric, a sizeable number of non-Malays would have been supportive of PN. For example, if PN had promised the Indians that if they voted for PN, it will elect an Indian as the Chief Minister of Penang. PN could have swayed the Indians, not only in Penang, but in the entire country. If PN had just declared that if it came to power, it would elect a Chinese as deputy Menteri Besar of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. That could have forced Anwar to match PN’s offer. Had PN forced Anwar to own up to its multiracial claims, PH’s image as a multiracial party and Anwar’s narrative about him being a champion of multiculturalism, may have crumbled.

Alas, PN decided to dance to Anwar’s tune, portray themselves as the victim, and attempt to win the sympathy vote of the Malays by making the non-Malays the boogeyman instead. That my friend was a strategic error.

The Malays, who have been winning in the political field for decades and generations, are not comfortable seeing themselves as the victims anymore. When PN created a narrative of the Malays as being victimised and oppressed by the non-Malays, not only do the Malays not see themselves as the victim, that PN has gone to extreme length in order to portray the non-Malays as the oppressors. That has only caused the Malays to feel a sense of shame and guilt.

Will PN lose all 6-state elections then? Not likely. It is probably status quo. But we will only know that on 12 August when voters decide to go to their polling stations. So, please vote wisely!

Reference:

PN’s fatal mistake in the 6-state elections, Nehru Sathiamoorthy, FMT, 8 August 2023