Malaysia GE 15

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GE15: Malay fence-sitters true kingmakers in Tambun

IPOH – In Tambun, all coalitions are doubling down on their efforts to woo the Malay vote, which many considered as the silent majority and the eventual decider for the parliamentary seat.

While earlier news reports indicated that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) are focused on garnering support from the Indian community, campaigns on the ground are mostly to attract Barisan Nasional (BN) voters and fence-sitters.

Campaigns in places such as rural villages in Chemor, Changkat Kinding, and Tg Rambutan have ramped up, with PN and PH engaging grassroots leaders to make headway into BN strongholds.

Those three areas are part of Hulu Kinta state constituency, which has a voter breakdown of 59% Malay, 23% Chinese, 11% Indian, and 4% others.

In this area, PN is counting on PAS, which has a strong committee centred around a number of local surau and mosques in the district.

“Bersatu is playing catch-up in these areas but as a coalition, we are playing to our strength and everyone is doing their part.

“But it is better for us to redouble our efforts in tackling the Malay voters, the silent majority – urging them to come out and vote instead. We have a better chance of convincing Malay fence-sitters and even BN voters rather than the non-Malay community.

“Of course, there are efforts towards the Chinese and Indian community especially, but it is harder to woo them, and we all know where most of their votes are going,” said a senior Bersatu leader who does not wish to be named.

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