Offer of peace with PAS a sign of shrinking Malay support for Anwar, say observers
“If there are talks for PAS to join hands with PH and Barisan Nasional (BN), this means that the government has no strategy to attract Malay support,”
(MalaysiaNow) – A think tank sees the recent offers of reconciliation with PAS by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang as a signal that the government is running out of ways to attract the support of the Malays.
Iris Institute also referred to the shift in support among the community towards Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the last general election, especially in Malay-majority seats in rural areas.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, its CEO Syed Ahmad Israa’ Syed Ibrahim said this showed that the administration led by Anwar and his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition was aware of its loss of Malay support.
“If there are talks for PAS to join hands with PH and Barisan Nasional (BN), this means that the government has no strategy to attract Malay support,” he said.
He added that the Malays had clearly voted in favour of a coalition that could defend their well-being and their rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Syed Ahmad Israa’ also said that the government’s direction in fighting for such causes appeared unclear, which in turn made it difficult to rally the support of the Malays.
Even if PAS agreed to join the government, he said, it might not be able to change the situation.
“If PAS works with the government, the Malay voters might become disappointed and pull their support for all parties including PAS, PH and Umno,” he said.
