KUALA LUMPUR – In the aftermath of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) supposed ‘green wave’ in the state polls, political observers are divided on whether protest votes from Barisan Nasional’s (BN) linchpin Umno supporters played a big part in the party’s poor performance.
Political economy expert, Universiti Malaya’s Prof Edmund Terence Gomez, has challenged the notion of the ‘green wave’, saying that the low voter turnout in Kelantan is evidence of a more complex trend.
“It’s a clear protest vote as far as I’m concerned. I’m not convinced by the so-called ‘green wave’. Kelantan is clear evidence whether a green wave exists in this state election, given the considerably poor voter turnout compared to the other five states.”
He added that Umno’s alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) component DAP in the unity government is a contributing factor to the Malay-based party’s diminishing appeal.
“In the Malay heartland (such as Kelantan), they don’t have any alternatives as they only have PAS as an option, which has been in power for more than 20 years.
“Umno’s image is tarnished due to corruption charges against top leaders like Datuk Seri Najib Razak and party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.”
Gomez said the Umno-DAP alliance has not resonated well among their respective grassroots and has left supporters of each party disenchanted.
“It should not be considered a green wave. It’s a combination of factors that led to PN’s success,” he added.
Of the 245 seats contested in the six states, PAS won 111 seats while PN partner Bersatu got 34 and Gerakan had one. DAP holds 46 seats while PH partners PKR has 26 and Amanah with eight. BN won 19.
Meanwhile, former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming countered that the Umno-DAP collaboration is still in its infancy, but cooperation at the grassroots level is quite good.
“I saw how Umno campaigned strongly for the DAP candidate in Sungai Pelek and how my colleagues in the DAP campaigned for the Umno candidate in Dusun Tua and both candidates won their seats.
“I don’t think we should overreact to calls for Umno to review its decision to work with DAP or vice versa,” said Ong, who is also Selangor DAP treasurer and Taylor University’s director of philosophy, politics and economics programme.
However, Universiti Malaya’s economics professor Rajah Rasiah attributed Umno’s success in Negri Sembilan to Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan‘s clean image. Especially when compared to other party leaders, who are facing corruption charges.
Negri Sembilan has a total of 36 seats, of which BN won 14 of the 16 seats it contested, while DAP won 11.
“Umno’s success in Negri Sembilan can be attributed to Tok Mat’s (Mohamad Hasan) clean image. My perception is Umno is declining and lacking in concrete reforms.”
In the recently concluded state elections, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu remained firmly under PN administration, while PH-BN kept Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan. – August 15, 2023