Melaka polls show PAS can’t win non-Malay votes even with BN alliance

The results of the Melaka polls underscores PAS’s failure to win over non-Malay voters despite its alliance with Barisan Nasional, according to an analyst.

This trust deficit the Islamic party has among non-Malay voters, Syaza Shukri said, will make it difficult for Perikatan Nasional – of which PAS is the lynchpin – to make inroads into DAP strongholds.

“If BN, which is seen to be more inclusive compared with PN, has trouble making inroads in DAP seats, what more a PAS-led PN.

“This trust deficit among non-Malays remains high. The alliance (between PN and BN) isn’t enough (to reduce it),” Syaza, of International Islamic University Malaysia, told FMT.

DAP retained four seats yesterday, namely Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana and Bandar Hilir.

The party defeated PN components Wawasan and Gerakan in Ayer Keroh and Kesidang, respectively, while BN component, MCA lost to DAP in Kota Laksamana and Bandar Hilir.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said while BN and PN managed to consolidate the Malay votes, the alliance struggled to appeal to the non-Malay electorate.

He said despite the likes of Gerakan and other non-Malay components in PN, urban voters still found it difficult to divorce it from PAS’s identity politics.

“Umno and PAS may have succeeded in winning the Malay votes but they did little to sway non-Malay voters who were more inclined to back DAP.

“And this (election) is a glimpse of PN’s challenge to come, wooing the non-Malay voters.”