Malaysia state polls: Results a ‘huge blow’ for PM Anwar Ibrahim despite apparent status quo, analysts say
- Opposition Perikatan Nasional made significant gains, especially in Selangor and Penang, as Anwar’s bloc lost large tracts of Malay support
- Analysts say the unity government should focus on improving livelihoods, rather than adopting socially conservative policies to win votes
The results of Saturday’s regional polls in Malaysia are being read as a blow to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling alliance in its first real test with voters, analysts say, despite the vote yielding the status quo on the surface.
The contest for state assembly seats in six out of the country’s 13 states largely went as expected, with the Anwar-led alliance retaining control of Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor.
The Malay nationalist Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance – spearheaded by the hardline Islamist PAS party – retained its control of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
PN, coming off a campaign that cast Anwar as neglectful of the Malay-Muslim majority, made significant gains across the board: winning 146 seats, or 60 per cent of the 245 constituencies up for grabs in the six states.
“I think it is a huge blow because it shows that in the span of nine months the unity government was not able to convince voters with their governance,” said Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, who heads the political science department at the International Islamic University of Malaysia.
“It means there is something else that is missing that Anwar and his administration need to figure out fast.”