With Taylor Swift’s smash-hit Eras Tour still fresh in the minds of many concert-loving Malaysians, now it looks like the turn of the opposition Perikatan Nasional to hit the road as they plan to dazzle the crowd in various venues around the country soon!
In fact, according to PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, the coalition is already preparing to become the party of choice by courting more support from Malaysians in a bid to win the 16th general election in three years’ time.
The ex-PM proudly added that though it is still relatively young (just like Swift) the coalition has proven to be extremely popular by winning an impressive 74 parliamentary seats and 210 state seats as well as successfully ruling four states.
The Pagoh MP also said that to convince more people to support the coalition in the run-up to the next general election they will continue to serve as a functional opposition offering checks and balances, in addition to being a party that supports the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara.
Interestingly, Muhyiddin further mentioned that they will ride on the “success” of the four PN-led states - Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis - and showcase it to the people (including the Chinese and Indians) as the perfect model of PN administration’s excellent governance.
However, apparently aware that he will forever be associated with having once proclaimed that he is “Malay” first, Muhyiddin appeared to admit the coalition must immediately find ways to win the support of non-Malay voters.
In fact, in his closing speech at the PN MPs and assemblyman convention recently, Muhyiddin stressed that the party needed to explore and undertake a new approach to win the hearts of non-Malay voters, targeting an increase of 5 to 10 per cent in mixed seats, which according to him, should be sufficient to achieve their goal of ruling the country.
Additionally, with strong support from the Malays almost assured, the PN chairman revealed that they were now working on the approaches, models and strategies to attract the crucial non-Malay votes to PN especially the Chinese; however, he did not elaborate on it.
Perhaps, unexpectedly, Muhyiddin then pronounced that PN was now an inclusive party and that they would go all out to convince the non-Malays they were not a 'Malay' party, but rather a Malay majority party with 'Malaysia' at its core - and committed to being fair and caring to all races and religions.
Nevertheless, in spite of Muhyiddin’s apparent optimism in bagging the extra votes needed from the minority Chinese and Indian electorate, the Bersatu chairman appeared to have ignored the importance of voters from Sabah and Sarawak who are almost certain to snub PN for as long as PAS is part of the coalition.
Likewise in the peninsula, the threat and concerns over the inevitable implementation of syariah laws in the country should PAS comes to power, is virtually guaranteed to put off non-Malay voters; this is in spite of the party having made it clear that their goal is only for the law to be introduced to Muslims in the country.
However, the general feeling among the non-Muslim communities here is that it is not compatible with a multiracial country such as Malaysia and that eventually they will be affected by it one way or another.
So, whether Muhyiddin likes it or not, although PAS is integral to any plans of PN taking over the country, it is also the proverbial elephant in the room as far as non-Malays were concerned.
Furthermore, it would also appear that while the ex-PM and his right-hand man Hamzah Zainudin have been active in parliament and social media by regularly highlighting the issue of the high cost of living, stuttering economy and other pressing problems affecting the public, the actions of his compatriots from the Islamist party seem to constantly negate all their efforts.
The truth is, even in parliament, the impression given is that PAS MPs only appear capable of debating on issues touching on religion, especially their favourite topic “syariah laws” - as if non-Muslims don’t exist in this country!
Thus, probably the question that Muhyiddin may have to first answer potential non-Malay voters whom he may be trying to court is, “will he do anything to make PAS change its ways?”
As for his own party Bersatu, which proudly portrays itself as the exclusive champion of the Malays, are its leaders, who seem programmed to only protect the sensitivities of Malay-Muslims, be able to openly declare they will “protect the sensitivities of the Chinese, Indians, East Malaysians and others too?”
Seriously, as it stands, for as long as PN is unwilling to do all that, is there any likelihood at all that it can capture even the minimum 10 per cent non-Malay-Muslim votes needed in its quest for Putrajaya?
Meanwhile, unlike the recent record-breaking Eras Tour by the talented American pop queen who would have surely attracted thousands of new “Swifties” - will PN, in its upcoming grand tour of the country, really be able to attract new “converts” among the Chinese, Indians and other non-Malays - especially with PAS in tow?
In fact, the Bersatu president may have to answer another important question too - will those in shorts and sarees be allowed to attend their “shows”? Or will he have to consult PAS on that first?
Main Information Source: NST
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