Some in Pakatan Harapan prefer to blame Bersama for their loss in the Johor state election instead of looking in the mirror.
They recycle lazy cliches that the Kancil party had “split votes” and caused them to lose.
But the facts from Malaysiakini prove this assertion wrong; Bersama received few votes, and only affected Harapan in two marginal seats.
The yellow T-shirts didn’t affect Team Red in the other 13 seats they contested.
The major factor for Harapan’s defeat was Perikatan Nasional’s votes going to Umno, with PAS asking supporters to choose Umno.
In other words, the racial strategy of PAS and Umno worked, with MCA and MIC riding on this Malay wave.
Many are gleefully dancing on the body of the fallen Kancil. But before they laugh too loudly that Bersama lost all their deposits, here's another reality check.
Even big parties like PKR and Amanah lost deposits in seven seats. Heck, the mighty PN “Green Wave” also came crashing down, losing deposits in 19 out of 33 seats it contested!
Harapan racial fear tactics?
Political analyst James Chin said many non-Malays were angry with DAP, so they just didn’t vote. In simple language, that’s like a kid “merajuk” (throwing a tantrum).
It’s sad that Chinese voters preferred self-defeating cynicism instead of doing something positive like giving a boost to Bersama for real reforms.
That’s called “cutting off your nose to spite your face”. Now they get BN, so they cannot complain. They’ve made their bed and must sleep in it.
It’s like they have just given up on local politics after being let down by Harapan. And now they just want to focus on making money, maybe by working in Singapore.
Harapan successfully used racial fear tactics to hit Bersama, starting by saying that voting for them would lead to PAS forming an Islamic state.
This is obviously untrue since PAS only contested 11 of 56 seats in Johor. The palace is also moderate and slammed the “halal laundry” in Muar as “Taliban state” extremism in 2017.
I’ve been promoting Bersama on my social media and have been attacked by what look like Harapan cyber troopers. Unlike the usual Malay racial flamers hurling insults, they are a bit smarter and write in English.
But the giveaway is that they have faceless, locked profiles with fewer than 15 friends. And they use clever racial manipulation, which ordinary folks may not see through.
How Harapan can salvage itself
But let’s look on the bright side. Harapan has been slapped with a huge yellow card. They must improve in their last 15 months to avoid a red card in the next general election.
So here are 12 ways Harapan can save itself.
1) Do serious reforms
Better late than never. Even if they lose the next election, at least they’ll go down as heroes. When BN or PN inevitably screw up, Harapan will have some credibility to regain power.
2) Cheap medical insurance
Control private hospitals’ profits, or create a good, affordable Madani health insurance to win back middle-class voters. Waiving the RM1 ATM fee is just not good enough.
3) Racial harmony law
Pass this to stop provocations by the likes of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and gang. This has been talked about since 2023, but it was the usual NATO (No Action, Talk Only) from Anwar.
4) Anwar should step down
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s brand is in tatters, so it’s best that he steps down - make him minister mentor to save some dignity.
If only Rafizi Ramli were still in PKR to take over. Meanwhile, Anwar’s daughter and PKR deputy president, Nurul Izzah, is clueless and also part of her daddy’s damaged brand.
Another senior PKR leader, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, has also been plagued by scandals.
The least tainted PKR Malay leader is Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun. If Anwar lets him lead, it would be like Dr Mahathir Mohamad passing power to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister because he was seen as “Mr Clean”.
Pak Lah led BN to its greatest victory in 2004 because he promised reforms (but failed).
5) Provide jobs via e-tuk-tuks
Stop protecting Grab’s e-hailing profits. Allow electric tuk-tuk (beca) e-hailing as a more affordable option for poorer people to access LRT stations, like in China.
Many B40 folks, especially Malays, can become owner-drivers. Win votes by giving jobs, just as food delivery does.
Safety will be monitored by the e-hailing apps via passenger ratings and complaints.
6) Orange jumpsuit for Najib
Make former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and other convicted VIPs wear the orange jumpsuit when in court.
This is a powerful symbol that Harapan is serious about battling corruption. There’s no need to give face to Umno anymore after their betrayal in Johor.
7) Local council elections
Start with Malay cities like Kota Baru, Kuantan, and Shah Alam to reduce racial protests. Next, Kuala Lumpur, which is half Malay and half non-Malay.
Then maybe the Selangor state capital of Shah Alam (under a Harapan-appointed city council, mind you) will build pedestrian sidewalks to LRT3 stations without waiting for a viral video to shame it into last-minute action.
8) Redraw seats fairly
One urban vote should equal one rural vote. Stop electoral manipulation and gerrymandering.
Many suburban seats like Bangi, Gombak, and Selayang in Selangor have huge Malay-majority populations but can only choose one MP. Meanwhile, the same number of rural voters can choose six MPs!
Don’t punish urban voters, said Suhaizan Kaiat, the Johor Amanah deputy president. It’s unfair to make urban votes less valuable than those in much smaller rural seats.
This will benefit Harapan, so what are they waiting for? Umno’s approval? Will Anwar wake up and prove he’s “cukup jantan” or man enough to do this?
9) Fight corruption
Clean up the MACC, then make it answer to Parliament, not the prime minister. Set up an Ombudsman system comprising respected retired judges with powers to probe anyone.
Pass an unexplained wealth law, as former Klang MP Charles Santiago proposed.
So if a civil servant earning RM7,000 monthly has three big bungalows and five luxury cars, they can be quickly seized if they can’t explain how they paid for them. No need for forever court cases like Najib.
10) Political funding law
Use this to control the disease of “political donations” buying over leaders and policies. Umno also promised this in their 2022 manifesto, so there are no excuses.
11) Recognise UEC
Penang, Selangor, Sabah, and Sarawak already do. What is Anwar waiting for? The nod from the DNAA guy (Umno president and deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)?
12) Should DAP leave?
If no serious reforms are started soon, DAP should leave Putrajaya before they drown with the sinking Anwar ship.
Return to the old fiery DAP as an “opposition from within Madani”, just as MCA and Akmal have been doing.
Conclusion
Harapan has been spiralling down since the Sabah elections, and now Johor.
But it’s still possible to pull the plane up from the nosedive if Harapan takes decisive emergency action.
ANDREW SIA is a veteran journalist who likes teh tarik khau kurang manis. You are welcome to give him ideas to brew at tehtarik@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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