PETALING JAYA: Non-Malay voters want the unity government to solve cost of living issues, treat everyone fairly and put a stop to racism.
They also warned Pakatan Harapan, which received almost all of the non-Malay votes in the 15th General Election (GE15), that they will not hesitate to abandon the coalition if it takes their support for granted.
Analysts have also echoed the same points, saying that in its quest to garner more Malay support, Pakatan and Barisan Nasional should not dismiss the views and criticisms of non-Malays on national policies.
“Also, don’t make so many sweet promises that you cannot keep,” said 35-year-old fitness trainer Jeremy Khor.
He said it is important that the government addresses racial issues immediately, to prevent hate from spreading like wildfire on social media.
Esther James, 35, concurred, saying that almost two years into the unity government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seems to have ignored the non-Malays who were Pakatan’s vote bank.
“PMX seems too Malay-centric. What's happened to his 'everybody, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, are my children' line? Where is the equal treatment for non-Malays, especially the bumiputra of Sabah and Sarawak?” asked the 35-year-old tourism industry worker.
“Don’t just hug Sabah and Sarawak only during elections. We are equal partners forming Malaysia.”
Although Balasubramaniam Segaran, 32, voted for Pakatan in GE15, he will not hesitate to vote for the Opposition if racial issues persist.
“There is this belief that non-Malays will not vote for parties other than Pakatan. But, I’m telling you, I will vote for Perikatan if my community remains marginalised under the Madani government,” said the account executive.
Administrative clerk Jackie Yap said she wants a government that can help improve the economy and reduce cost of living burdens for the middle class.
“I will vote based on the candidates. I don't care about the party but I don’t like racists,” said the 45-year-old.
Freelance writer Gerry Gomes said he will only vote for a party that values unity and diversity.
“There should be no such thing as one race or religion above others,” said the 28-year-old.
Political scientist Prof Dr Wong Chin Huat said what also turns off non-Malays and liberals is how Anwar, who heads Pakatan, has admonished them for criticising government decisions.
Examples of this include how Anwar has reacted harshly to criticisms about the government’s generous aid towards Palestinians and his remarks towards the apology by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“The non-Malays and liberals can understand Anwar's need to win more Malay support,” said Wong of Sunway University.
“What frustrates them is that Anwar does that by not just doing more for Malays, but also often signalling his willingness to ignore or chide the non-Malays and liberals, as if he deliberately does this to refute the Opposition's smear campaign that he is controlled by the DAP or Chinese.”
