PH needs an ideological framework to regain Malay support

What explains the shift of Malay support away from Pakatan Harapan (PH)? Is it true that the present narrative seems to equate Malay demands with the urban elite?

In other words, has the present political discourse of PH failed to factor in the fears, problems and anxieties of rural Malays?

Is it true that the Umno-PAS political narrative seems acceptable to the rural Malays not so much because they have not been factored in the overall calculation of PH but because of the exaggeration of Malay losses that find ready resonance among rural Malays?

In actual sense, what we are witnessing is the function of class politics in the divided Malay society, but the actual manifestation might be articulated in an ethnic and religious sense.

For the moulders of Malay public opinion, especially those in the political opposition, the resentment towards PH is not only expressed in ethnic and religious terms but also in reference to the other, meaning the non-Malays.

This narrative of the other being the main beneficiary of the PH government’s policies and measures merely seeks to strengthen the views of Malays that the PH government poses a danger to Malay institutions, religion, language and institutions such as the royalty.

It is this growing divide that might alienate the rural Malays.

Anwar Ibrahim might be right in pointing out the slow but sure alienation of rural Malays exacerbated by political forces opposed to PH.

But the fact remains that PH need not wait for another five years to address the social and economic problems of the subaltern Malay society.

Urban middle class and elite Malays might see themselves as representatives of their brethren in the countryside, but such a view might not stand the test of reality.

In the absence of a significant non-Malay society with its economic resilience, class divisions might be determining the nature of the political representation of the Malays.

It is going to be nearly one year with PH in power.

While it must be credited for focusing on economic fundamentals, it has somewhat ignored the realm of the superstructure, the importance of an ideological framework to steer the country.

The notion that economic reforms will impact positively on the minds of the people might not be true.

Most of the time, PH leaders are well-meaning and sincere but they cannot assume that economic benefits arising from sound economic policies can bring about the much-needed support from the masses.

The realm of ideas, culture and religion cannot be reducible to the economic realm.

Given this, the future longevity of PH must give importance to ideas, ideology, culture and religion to manufacture consent.

It should not be lost on PH, that the very ascent to power nearly a year ago was not the result of any tangible economic benefits, but in the realm of ideas – especially the promises made to the rakyat.

P Ramasamy is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang. - FMT

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