Beyond racial polarisation: lessons from the state polls

• Main Author: Aminudin, Rabi'ah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Malaysian Insight 2023
• Subjects: JA Political science (General); JQ Political institutions Asia; JQ715 Politics and Government in Malaysia
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/106230/11/106230_Beyond%20racial%20polarisation%20lessons%20from%20the%20state%20polls.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/106230/; https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/457570
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

THE August 12 state elections saw stiff competition between the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) pact and Perikatan Nasional (PN). While the results were status quo, it showed a tremendous increase in support for PN. PN made inroads in states won by PH-BN – Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan – while the Malay heartlands (Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) remained its strongholds. Analysts said the results indicate increasing racial polarisation as the campaign period was marred by racist and sexist remarks, insults, and hateful rhetoric to attract voters. While PN resorted to racial and religious sentiment to rally support, PH-BN relied on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s image and the notion of unity.And how did PN become an attractive alternative for voters in states that enjoy high economic development despite the coalition’s not-so-rosy administrative track record? This means PH-BN’s campaigns that highlight inadequate infrastructure and water woes in Kedah and Kelantan are not swaying voters’ support for PAS, instead leading the Islamist party to a higher majority this year than in 2018.