KUALA LUMPUR – Despite criticisms and apprehension against Pakatan Harapan following its crushing defeat during the Melaka election, DAP lawmaker Ong Kian Ming said there is a silver lining to the coalition’s setback.
In a statement today, the Bangi MP said that the loss can be used as a lesson to build momentum for the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Analysing the defeat, Ong also pointed out that the total share of votes had barely changed, with Barisan Nasional’s (BN) vote share increasing by a small margin of 1% at most.
“With a vote share of less than 40%, BN could lose many seats in the general election when taking into account a larger turnout and number of younger voters in the context of a national campaign,” he said.
The internal narrative from within PAS to abandon Perikatan Nasional (PN) in order to work with BN/Umno, Ong said, will also not happen as PN had won two state seats, garnering almost 25% of total votes that allow the Islamist party to have some hope on gaining further electoral ground against BN/Umno in the next general election.
Furthermore, he said the state election’s results presented some hope for DAP when the party’s 29-year-old candidate, Kerk Chee Yee, won 60% of the popular vote in the mixed Ayer Keroh state seat, which consisted of 40% Malays.
“As for the Kesidang state seat, DAP’s Allex Seah Shoo Chin managed to snag 66% of the vote in a mixed seat, in which 37% of the voters were Malay.
Due to some of the Malay support that PH had gained in GE14, the DAP candidates were able to retain their seats.
“Furthermore, Muhamad Danish Zainudin, DAP’s youngest and first-time candidate, came within 1% of winning the difficult 65% Malay seat of Pengkalan Batu,” he said.
Ong also said that former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari from Amanah managed to retain his state seat of Bukit Katil, remaining a popular political figure in the state.
“He will likely be named as the leader of the opposition and can make use of this platform to increase his political standing, not just within Melaka but also nationally.”
Additionally, he said that the results of the state election also give PH the opportunity to come up with a new and more compelling narrative for GE15.
Ong said to prepare for a new narrative for GE15, PH will need to include several elements including:
- presenting a line-up of experienced and young leaders to lead the country forward instead of just relying on the top leaders of the individual component parties,
- coming up with a riveting goal and vision, significantly on competency and capability for the country post Covid-19 at the national and state levels, and finally,
- presenting a configuration for new alliances, including one with Muda, which will attract young voters, volunteers and members.
There is still time, but the time needs to be spent well.
“Personal agendas need to be put aside in the interest of a larger and more compelling strategy and political narrative moving forward,” Ong noted.
The Melaka election, which was held on November 20, saw PH clinching only five state seats in the 28-seat assembly, while BN triumphed with 21 seats.
PN won the remaining two seats. – The Vibes, November 23, 2021
