N SEMBILAN POLLS | Bersatu’s Nilai candidate V Saravana Kumar claimed that Perikatan Nasional is still facing difficulties in winning over non-Malay voters.
Commenting on the party’s decision to contest independently, Saravana Kumar (above, right) said feedback from Chinese and Indian voters throughout the Negeri Sembilan campaigning period indicated that Bersatu was better received when it campaigned without PAS.
“Based on our findings on the ground, around 60 to 70 percent of non-Malay voters tended to distance themselves when Bersatu was directly associated with PAS.
“When contesting under PN with PAS alongside us, many Indian voters were hesitant. The first question most of them asked was, ‘Are you with PAS?’
“This concern over PAS exists among both communities, no matter whether Chinese or Indian. When PAS is mentioned, there is a sense of fear among them,” he told Malaysiakini.
However, Saravana Kumar said the situation changed when voters were informed that Bersatu was moving independently in its capacity as a party.
“When PAS is not involved and we use the Bersatu logo, they do not mind and are able to accept us. This is the feedback we received from the public,” he added.
Bersatu is still a PN component party alongside PAS, but it has decided to contest the election under its own logo after PAS announced that it was ending its cooperation with Bersatu.
Apart from Bersatu and PAS, PN comprises MIPP, Parti Wawasan Negara and Gerakan. The coalition is contesting 11 out of the 36 state seats in Negeri Sembilan.
The decision came after PN decided to establish an electoral pact with BN, which is contesting in the remaining 25 seats in the Negeri Sembilan polls.
Meanwhile, Bersatu will contest 24 seats independently, while two Urimai candidates will also contest under the party’s logo in the state election scheduled for Aug 1.
‘Malays prefer Muhyiddin’s leadership’
Elaborating further, Saravana Kumar, a businessperson who has lived in Nilai for more than 25 years, said a different trend was observed among Malay voters, who were more inclined towards the PN brand and the leadership of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Malays are more comfortable with PN compared to Bersatu on its own. However, Bersatu’s strength lies in Muhyiddin’s track record of service when he led the government.
“Who could have managed the Covid-19 pandemic better than Muhyiddin? Malaysia’s death rate and pandemic control were handled very well compared to other countries.
“These are among the reasons Malay voters are more inclined towards PN under Muhyiddin compared to what is now under PAS,” he said.
Saravana Kumar is set to face a five-way battle, with incumbent Nilai assemblyperson J Arul Kumar (Pakatan Harapan-DAP) seeking to defend the seat for a fourth term.
The seat, which has a total of 45,911 voters, will also feature Alan Lai Chien Kong (BN-MCA), Zamani Ibrahim (Berjasa) and Omar Isa (independent). - Mkini
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