Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15) could happen as early as September.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri administration’s Memorandum of Understanding with the opposition Pakatan Harapan includes a pledge to not dissolve parliament until July 31.
It has traction with the urban or semi-urban electorate, but has much less purchase in Malay-populated rural constituencies.With recovery underway but pandemic pain lingering, “rice bowl” pledges will take centre stage. Another outcome of this convergence, though, is less obvious: Voters will compare between variations on the same theme, and ultimately find marginal differences.
They may have performed better than their adversaries, but again, all sides have something to offer on these matters — and, indeed, BN maintains an extensive and well-oiled grassroots machinery.Then, two flagships starkly differentiated the competitors. What policy stances might swing votes? One should re-examine BN’s formula of advocating race-based interests.
First, PH cleaves to a popular polemic that BN’s policies only help the “Malay elite”, fail to reach ordinary people, and perpetuate cronyism and corruption.