The six-state election result is widely seen as a referendum on Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership as he must remain vigilant and make changes for the nation’s economic growth.
PH and Anwar did well by retaining the states they controlled. The call on Anwar to resign is mischievous, baseless and unsound, full of sound and fury by the opposition signifying nothing. There is no justification or imminent threat to unseat Anwar as the premier.
As a statesman, Anwar welcomed the results at a late-night press conference on Saturday (12/8/23) and appealed for unity. “This is a decision of the people. We have to respect this decision,” the prime minister said.
In jumpstarting the PH coalition, Anwar has four more years before the 2027 general elections to shore up support in restarting and rebooting the unity Government.
Analysts say the unity government should focus on improving livelihoods rather than adopting socially conservative policies to win votes. For example, significant allocations to JAKIM (Islamic authority) hoping to win Malay votes are yet to work. In the past, it was a UMNO strategy to award scholarships for Islamic studies in the Mideast nations, resulting in these graduates returning as extremists and joining the opposition Islamic party.
Battered at state polls, UMNO is now becoming a liability for Malaysian PM Anwar’s government. Ahmad Zahid’s role in government undermines the prime minister’s tough stance on the abuse of power and political corruption.
UMNO leaders acknowledge that unless a leadership change occurs soon in UMNO, the prospect of the party renewing its appeal to ordinary Malays is remote. Did the battered UMNO leaders campaign against UMNO candidates?
In resetting and rebooting the Unity Government, Anwar is up against the radical and extremist PN/PAS narrative it used in the state's election.
The following are 25 key points PN/PAS used to gain more inroads thin e Malay heartland. Now, Anwar has to tone down the extremist views and stand against the Islamic party propagated in increasing its seats in the state assemblies.
PN/PAS campaign's key points in the elections to champion Malay rights:
- Non-Islam dominates the economy
- It is not Islamic to order the Malays
- Malays will become refugees.
- The Malays are oppressed
- Islam is challenged
- Islam is insulted
- Islam is not respected.
- Chinese and Indian are immigrants.
- Corruption is not wrong.
- Let God judge in the afterlife.
- Infidels cannot rule Islamic countries.
- Infidels cannot be leaders in Islamic countries
- Malaysia is an Islamic country.
- Anwar practices pluralism.
- Anwar gave equal rights to non-Malays.
- Anwar ignores the Malays.
- Vote for PAS is a ticket to heaven.
- Vote for infidels to go to hell.
- Infidels prevent the call to prayer.
- This is the country of the Malays.
- Infidels meddle in Islamic affairs.
- This is the country of the Malays.
- Non-Malays cannot be treated and given the same rights as citizens.
- Malay leaders who are not with PAS do not defend Islam.
- Islamic Malay leaders who are not with PAS become infidel puppets.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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