Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said it was unfair to attribute Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election solely to its rivals’ use of racial and identity-based narratives, arguing that the coalition had also benefited from similar dynamics in previous elections.
Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Ong said PH had previously benefited, albeit indirectly, from appeals encouraging non-Malay voters to unite, similar to recent calls by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) for Malay unity.
“When I listened to PH’s post-election press conference, the message conveyed by Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Amanah communications director Khalid Samad was that they lost because of racial narratives used by their rivals during the Negeri Sembilan election.
“It works both ways. In the past, PH may also have benefited, albeit indirectly, from calls for non-Malay voters to unite in order to gain greater political power.
“But now, with the consolidation of the Malay parties and Malay voters behind BN and PN, that narrative has begun to shift somewhat,” he said.
Khairy draws parallels with previous PH messaging
Podcast co-host and former minister Khairy Jamaluddin agreed with Ong’s assessment, saying PH had previously used “coded references” to the “green wave” to encourage Chinese voters to unite behind the coalition.
He said the message was comparable to the current calls by BN and PN candidates for Malay unity to safeguard Malay interests.
“Of course, in both cases, nobody explicitly said it was at the expense of others. That was never stated. And to be fair, PH never said that either. But the underlying message was the same,” he said.
Khairy also dismissed claims that BN’s election campaign lacked policy substance.
He said the speeches he delivered and campaign events he attended focused on issues including local councils, assessment rates, employment opportunities and foreign direct investment, although such matters received less public attention.
Shahril: PH should offer a stronger alternative
Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said identity politics had long been a feature of Malaysia’s political landscape and should not have come as a surprise to PH.
He said if PH opposed identity politics, it should instead present a stronger narrative capable of persuading Malay voters based on its performance and delivery of reform promises.
“But if it fails to convince voters with that narrative, it cannot suddenly act surprised that identity politics remains part of what motivates people to vote,” he said.
Ong questions PH’s choice of candidates
Ong also questioned why PH did not field more local councillors and Malay village chiefs as candidates in the Negeri Sembilan election.
He cited PH’s Perling candidate in Johor, B Pannir Selvam, as an example of a politician who had built a strong grassroots record, particularly within the Malay community.
However, Ong said he did not see local councillors emerging as strong PKR or Amanah candidates in Negeri Sembilan despite PH having governed the state for two terms.
“That could have created an opportunity to attract Malay voters based on their track record as local councillors in their respective areas.
“So I think that’s also somewhat puzzling, especially as PH had been in the state government for two terms,” he said.
