PM: Don't blame Malays, Madani concept will take time to sink in

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has disagreed with the assertion that the Malays are to blame for Pakatan Harapan-BN’s poor performance in the recently concluded state elections.

He said the results, which saw the coalition losing in many Malay-majority seats, should instead be taken as a challenge by Harapan-BN to make the rakyat understand their Madani concept.

“It takes time. I disagree with certain quarters blaming the Malays, blaming them for allegedly being susceptible to racial and religious sentiments, inciting them to fear the Chinese and DAP.

“I disagree with this notion. This is a challenge for us and we will try our best to explain to them,” he told reporters after a groundbreaking ceremony at Bandar Tasik Selatan in Kuala Lumpur today.

This came after Harapan-BN's poor showing at the six state polls on Saturday, which saw the pact suffering huge losses, albeit managing to retain their control of Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.

Both coalitions were wiped out in Terengganu, with BN failing to win any seats in Kedah.

The polls results also showed Perikatan Nasional making inroads mainly in Malay-majority constituencies, including seats in Penang and Selangor which used to be Harapan and BN strongholds.

Understanding Madani concept

The prime minister said it would take time for the people to truly understand the Madani concept that the coalition government has introduced.

Thus, Anwar would not blame the Malays who could have been affected by propaganda such as short clips on Tiktok that try to scare Malay voters into believing that the Chinese and DAP are taking over the country with Harapan in power.

Adding further, he said voters also might not realise the corruption problem.

"They do not know that the people they support, some of them have amassed hundreds of millions.

"I do not want to blame them though. This is the responsibility of our machinery and leaders to work harder to translate this policy to the people," he added.

Wave of conservatism

Anwar also pointed out that such a wave of conservatism was nothing new.

Western countries, he said, have also seen the rise of narrow and racist sentiments, such as what happened during the Donald Trump administration in the US.

"We also have this here and we have to address it using wisdom and confidence.

"This was what I told the cabinet meeting yesterday, that we must do our work with sincerity.

"Because it is impossible to be rejected when we do our work sincerely and for going hard against corruption."

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