The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition made significant gains among early and postal voters, Orang Asli and Indian voters in the recently concluded Kuala Kubu Baru by-election, according to former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming. While PH experienced slight gains among Chinese voters, it also faced some losses among Malay voters. PH won over 95% of Chinese votes, over 70% of Indian and Orang Asli votes, and over 60% of early and postal voters, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured more than 80% but less than 90% of Malay votes.
In analyzing the by-election, Ong highlighted the importance of motivating supporters to vote. The voter turnout fell by 6.1%, with the most significant decrease in Malay majority areas. PH excelled in mobilizing support in places with solid backing, while PN struggled to attract younger voters in Malay majority areas.
The significance of the by-election revealed winners and losers, with MCA and Gerakan proving ineffective and Bersatu leaders failing to run a compelling campaign. The inability to engage with voters and lack of a straightforward narrative impacted PN's outreach, especially among younger Malay voters.
The results of the by-election have future implications for the national political landscape. While PH may see it as a vote of confidence, underlying dissatisfaction against the government is growing. Umno should not assume a shift in Malay support, and PN cannot rely solely on current popularity to secure victory in the upcoming general election.
The battle for the middle ground, particularly among Malay voters, will be crucial in determining the outcome of GE16. Parties must focus on sound leadership, policies, and implementation to sway this demographic. There is ample time before the next election for parties to make necessary adjustments and appeal to the middle ground as a pathway to Putrajaya.
In the Kuala Kubu Baru by-election, PH candidate Pang Sock Tao emerged victorious with a 3,869-vote majority over PN's Khairul Azhari Saut. The results underscore the evolving political landscape and the importance of engaging with diverse voter segments to secure electoral success.
Source: Malay Mail
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