‘All races supported Anwar’
The PH-BN’s success in retaining the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat yesterday indicated that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has the support of all communities, said a political analyst.
“All the races supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even the Malays swung their support for him,” said UTM based analyst Dr Mazlan Ali to Harapan Daily.
He was asked on his take on the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election where DAP’s Pang Sock Tao of Pakatan Harapan trounced Bersatu’s Khairul Azhari Saut of PN banner with a majority of 3,869 votes in a four cornered fight.
He also noted that the support of the uniformed bodies were overwhelmingly for the government for the first time.
“The early votes also indicated support for Anwar.”
He added that the voter turnout dropped from 69% to 61% but the majority was not that affected.
Pang’s 3,869 votes was close to the late Lee Kee Hiong’s 4,119 votes.
Mazlan also shared his thoughts on PN’s defeat. He said that it was a combination of several factors.
“PN lost because it put forth a Malay only narrative, not a Malaysian narrative.
He also highlighted that one of PN’s key partner’s were absent.
“The cooperation among PN components is weak. Pas only sent its Selangor machinery.”
“The new Indian party had no impact,” he said in reference to the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, which is the latest component of the opposition bloc.
He also said that the image projected by PN was negative.
“Many of its leaders have court cases,” he said.
PN president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) and Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) are among the top leaders who are facing charges in court.
“The six MPs who supported Anwar have not been affected. They may not even lose their seats.”
The six are Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussain Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Zulkaperi Hanafi, Jeli MP Zahari Ketchikan, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman and Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim.
All are from Bersatu.
For the record, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin has confirmed action would be taken this week against the six.
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