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By Mihar Dias Copyright ©️ July 2023
How can Penang's DAP consolidate Malay support in the upcoming state elections amidst the strong winds favouring Perikatan Nasional (PN) on the mainland?
According to predictions, it is anticipated that 15 Malay-majority constituencies in Penang may fall to Perikatan Nasional in the forthcoming polls.
On the other hand, the Pakatan Harapan coalition is expected to win 22 seats, with three seats being uncertain.
Jocelyn Tan of The Star suggests that while Penang may not fall entirely, Pakatan Harapan could lose its two-thirds majority in the 40-seat state assembly if the Malay wind blows strongly enough.
The political leadership in Penang holds a strong belief that the green wave of 2022 has subsided, and the Malays in the state will vote for the incumbents to maintain stability.
However, the Malay-majority constituencies on the mainland are perceived as being particularly vulnerable. Jocelyn highlights that while DAP is guaranteed to win all 19 of its seats, Pakatan Harapan's ability to secure a convincing majority depends on PKR, Amanah, and Umno's success in winning over the Malay-majority constituencies on the mainland.
Quoting another journalist, Jocelyn asserts that the Malay ground remains unsettled, and it would be unwise to ignore this fact. Observations indicate that Pakatan politicians have struggled to consolidate Malay support in the state in recent months.
One primary reason for this is the absence of a prominent Malay figure in Penang who possesses the strength to capture the hearts and minds of the Malay community.
Although Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of PMX, serves as the Penang PKR chief and is expected to rally support for Pakatan Harapan, her significant loss in the last GE15 demonstrated her inability to generate the same level of Malay interest as her parents did.
Consequently, it is crucial for Pakatan Harapan to recognize the significance of Malay votes and not underestimate their importance.
While the green wave of 2022 may be considered to have diminished, the active campaigning by PAS on the mainland poses a threat to DAP's majority in the state assembly.
The consolidation of Malay support will require strategic efforts and initiatives by PH to regain the trust and confidence of the Malay electorate.
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