DATUK Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s latest campaign remarks have once again put race at the centre of the Negeri Sembilan election battle, but analysts are divided over whether such rhetoric can actually change how voters cast their ballots.
While political analyst Prof Dr Syaza Shukri believes attacks linked to DAP could still influence some Malay voters by reinforcing long-held concerns, Dr Azmi Hassan argues that the impact may be limited as Negeri Sembilan voters do not necessarily respond to the same political messages that work in PAS strongholds.
Syaza said anti-DAP sentiments among parts of the Malay electorate had existed for years, and recent political attacks could strengthen views that were already deeply embedded.
“Malay voters, in general, have long feared or disliked DAP. What is happening now feeds into their insecurities and confirms what they have always believed about DAP,” she said.
She said the issue was not necessarily about convincing voters of a new argument, but reinforcing existing perceptions — especially when such messages came from Malay political leaders.
“They are not going to double-check. If a Malay leader says something like that, it confirms what they already believe,” she added.
The remarks came as Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional’s election director, campaigned in Negeri Sembilan using themes centred on Malay identity and political concerns.
Such messaging has long been used by opposition parties to challenge PH’s ties with DAP.
Syaza said this strategy could pose a challenge for PH, particularly in a state where DAP has traditionally maintained a strong presence.
However, she added that PH also faced another problem — growing frustration among non-Malay voters who have become tired of Malaysia’s repeated focus on race.
She said some non-Malay voters, particularly Chinese voters, may not necessarily respond by increasing support for PH whenever racial issues dominate political campaigns.
“Non-Malays have reached a stage of political fatigue where, regardless of who they vote for or who wins, the racial issues in Malaysia are still not being resolved,” she said.
But Azmi offered a different view, saying Sanusi’s approach may not necessarily translate into electoral gains in Negeri Sembilan.
He said political messages that work in Kedah, where PAS has a much stronger base, may not have the same impact in the southern state.
“The taste of voters in Negeri Sembilan is different from voters in Kedah. The problem is PAS leaders do not adjust themselves according to where and who they are campaigning for,” he said.
According to Azmi, Sanusi’s remarks were more political rhetoric than a message capable of shifting large numbers of voters.
“What Sanusi said is just rhetoric. Whether the impact is positive or negative, it will be minimal,” he said.
He added that the same applied to non-Malay voters, saying the remarks were unlikely to create a major shift in their voting decisions.
“PAS speeches are enjoyable to listen to, but they will not create a major impact,” he said.
The contrasting views point to a bigger question in Negeri Sembilan: whether race remains a powerful electoral weapon, or whether voters have become too familiar with such narratives to be significantly moved by them.
For PH, the challenge may not only come from opposition attacks, but also from managing expectations among voters who are increasingly frustrated with the slow progress of resolving long-standing political and social issues. – July 27, 2026
