By Mahathir Mohd Rais
The recent by-election results in the Kuala Kubu state assembly should not be a source of pride for the Democratic Action Party (DAP). Despite the overall results not favoring us, the analysis of voting patterns offers clear directives for our improvement.
Firstly, PN extends heartfelt thanks to every voter who lent us their support in this by-election. Your trust in our vision and mission is invaluable, motivating us to press forward with our commitment to the nation’s progress.
A significant concern emerging from this by-election is the low turnout among Malay voters.
This disappointing turnout is an urgent issue that PN needs to address, indicating a necessity for increased engagement and mobilization efforts within our core demographic.
Furthermore, we observed a commendable level of commitment from Chinese voters—a trend that we are eager to encourage across all communities. PN is committed to enhancing our outreach efforts not only within the Chinese community but also the Indian community, where we have noticed a promising increase in support.
In evaluating DAP’s performance, several key points emerge:
- The Kuala Kubu state assembly has been a stronghold for DAP since the 2013 General Election. However, despite an increase in the electorate from about 27,000 to around 40,000 voters, DAP’s vote tally has stagnated around 14,000, with their majority margin decreasing significantly—from 7,134 in the 2013 General Election to 3,869 in the latest by-election
- Given these circumstances, DAP’s victory in its stronghold is less impressive, especially considering the stagnant vote tally and the reduced majority.
- Several factors, such as the support from the state government coalition of PH-BN, announcements of allocations and grants, and backing from entities like UMNO and MIC, should have ideally positioned DAP to significantly increase their vote tally.
This analysis reveals that while DAP maintains its stronghold, its performance has not escalated as anticipated, particularly in a setting where they receive considerable support from political infrastructures.
From this by-election, PN draws important lessons about the necessity of more effectively targeting and mobilizing potential voters, especially within the Malay community. We are also intensifying our efforts to broaden our appeal and reach within other communities. With targeted strategies and systematic efforts, we are confident in our ability to strengthen PN’s position and secure greater electoral successes in the future.
The Kuala Kubu by-election is a pivotal learning point for PN. It underscores the importance of refining our focus to ensure that we not only consolidate support in our strongholds but also expand our influence across Malaysia’s competitive political landscape. Through dedicated effort and strategic outreach, PN aims to build a more inclusive and robust political presence.
About the author: Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Bersatu Federal Territories information chief. This is an opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this publication.
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