Experts: Voters keen on trying a new govt

KUALA LUMPUR: The desire to try a new government was one of the factors that led the people to vote for Pakatan Harapan and end Barisan Nasional rule in the country and several more states, say political analysts.

They added that issues such as 1Malaysia Development Berhad, Goods and Services Tax and the high cost of living also contributed to the shift from the people's more than 60-year support of Barisan.

Cluster head of Political, Security and International Affairs, National Council of Professors, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak said some of the issues raised by the people had been ongoing for three years and no convincing answers were forthcoming from the Barisan government.

Dr Mohamed Mustafa (left) and Dr Sivamurugan give their take on GE14’s outcome.

“This shift is possibly from the sentiment of wanting to try, for five years, a change in government, and also the role of social media in helping to change the people’s perception to favour Pakatan Harapan,” he said when contacted.

He said a Malay tsunami happened and, although not massive, it was enough to topple Barisan.

Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian

Pakatan obtained a simple majority in Parliament by winning 113 seats.

Besides retaining Penang and Selangor, Pakatan also captured Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, while in Perak and Kedah, the government had yet to be ascertained.

Pahang and Perlis remained under Barisan on polling day while the coalition also managed to form the Sabah state government yesterday after a deal with Sabah STAR.

Another political analyst, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said strong anti-Barisan sentiment made them reject anything done by the coalition and its leader, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, even credible candidates.

“This is the phenomenon of the people’s tsunami, involving various groups that rejected anything linked to Barisan, including former elected representatives who served their constituencies well in Perak, Negri Sembilan and Johor,” he said. — Bernama

This is the phenomenon of the people’s tsunami, involving various groups that rejected anything linked to Barisan.