KUALA LUMPUR – As we approach the Pelangai by-election in Pahang, all eyes are now on the formidable alliance comprising Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who are set to lead Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) campaign.
While this alliance may seem politically strategic, it is essential to consider how it could impact our nation’s unity and togetherness, as PN is set to go into overdrive on matters such as Malay power and as usual bring out the bogeyman: DAP.
The narrative PN is weaving is that Malay political power is under threat due to the partnership between DAP and Umno in the federal government.
Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin, and Hadi are positioning themselves as guardians of Malay and Islamic rights, exploiting the fears of some segments of the population who worry that DAP wields excessive influence, that Umno is losing its strength, and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unable to control DAP’s actions.
This urgently calls for Barisan Nasional (BN) to stand up against PN’s narrative, and the best person for the task is probably Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
As the head of the state government, BN should show that the assertion of Malay power erosion holds no water, at least within the context of Pahang.
It will serve as a powerful reminder that Malaysians can collaborate across political lines for the betterment of the state and the nation.
Instead of allowing the Pelangai by-election to become a platform for divisive rhetoric, both BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) must seize the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to national unity.
Rather than succumbing to politics that stoke fear and division, they should focus on engaging with their respective supporters while actively reaching out to fence sitters and young voters from diverse backgrounds.
The by-election represents an opportunity to show that Malaysia can remain harmonious and diverse, even in the face of political manoeuvring that seeks to exploit our differences.
Time for Pakatan-BN to use strategic approaches
In countering PN’s divisive narrative, PH-BN must employ strategic approaches that prioritise inclusivity and reassure the Malays that the community still dominates the government.
They should champion unity in response to division.
This can be done by showing that despite their political differences, PH-BN’s ultimate objective is the betterment of Malaysia and its people.
The unity alliance, thus, must highlight instances of successful collaboration between their members at various levels of government.
They should also be aggressively reaching out to diverse voter groups, including minorities, youth, and the Felda populations to make them feel valued and heard.
As Pelangai is a traditional BN seat, highlighting local achievements is more important than national issues.
By showcasing improvements in the lives of Pelangai residents, BN and PH can shift the discourse from divisive rhetoric to positive outcomes that benefit the community directly.
BN should also bank on the leadership of local figures who have a deep understanding of the community’s needs and concerns.
These leaders can serve as powerful advocates for unity and collaboration.
To tackle the PN trio, BN must confront false narratives from PN by promptly providing accurate information and facts to debunk such claims.
Ensuring voters are well-informed is essential in countering misinformation.
Voters should be encouraged to consider the long-term implications of their choices on the nation’s unity and prosperity.
In addition to these, PH-BN must employ aggressive campaigning methods to effectively reach their target audience.
One of the most important is to harness the power of social media and online presence to disseminate campaign messages.
Younger voters love engaging content and live streams; this is an area that PN has extensively capitalised on, and BN needs to play catch up.
While the focus on energising and mobilising the youth vote is of utmost importance, BN should also use a personalised outreach method for older voters, as it can be highly persuasive.
The coming together of many leaders from both sides in the Pelangai by-election campaign should serve as a reminder on the importance of unity.
We must reject any narratives that seek to sow discord and distrust among us.
Let us not be swayed by the narrow-minded politics of division. – The Vibes, September 26, 2023
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