Malay support for Harapan increases as Anwar returns to politics

ANALYSIS | Malay support for Pakatan Harapan in Port Dickson appears to have increased based on Malaysiakini's observations of polling district data from today's by-election.

Compared to the 14th general election, Harapan candidate Anwar Ibrahim received more votes in seven Malay-majority districts, despite a lower turnout in these areas.

They are Kampung Jimah Baru (which comprises 90 percent Malays), Sunggala (57.1 percent), Kampung Bagan Pinang (90 percent), Si Rusa (87.4 percent), Teluk Kemang (74.8 percent), Kampung Sungai Raya (92.7 percent) and Bandar Baru Sunggala (69 percent).

In these districts, overall votes decreased between 20 percent to 39.5 percent, but the number of votes for Harapan increased between 4.3 percent to 25.6 percent, indicating a swing in support.

It is likely that a substantial number of voters who did not turn up to vote were BN supporters.

In the remaining 25 polling districts, Harapan won with a higher percentage but a smaller number of votes, which was expected, due to the lower turnout of 58.25 percent.

 

In contrast, 83.16 percent of Port Dickson constituents had cast their votes in GE14.

The increased Malay support for Harapan this time around could be due to the coalition now being the federal government, as well as Anwar's planned trajectory to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

Early and postal voter support

In addition, Harapan also received more support from early and postal voters which is largely composed of military and civil servants.

Advance votes for Harapan increased from 1,161 in GE14, to 2,576, signalling a shift in support for the new federal government.

PAS also increased their votes among advance voters, from 1,659 in GE14 to 1,843 today.

Unlike in the 14th general election, PAS kept their deposit this time around in Port Dickson, and came in second with 7,456 votes.

Overall, despite the lower turnout, Anwar won with a 23,560-vote majority, eclipsing that of PKR's Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who won the seat in GE14 by a margin of 17,710 votes.

Danyal had vacated the seat to pave the way for Anwar's return to active politics.

The PKR president-elect is expected to be sworn in at Parliament on Monday. - Mkini