KUALA LUMPUR – It is self-defeating to use Pakatan Harapan’s Kuala Kubu Baharu candidate Pang Sock Tao’s vernacular education against her during the campaign trail.
This is because vernacular schools are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and harping on it veers into 3R (race, religion and royalty) territory as it could offend the non-Malay community, political analyst Mazlan Ali told Scoop.
“Vernacular schools are part of our education system and criticising her academic qualifications could backfire. Candidates should be informing the voters of the development they would bring about for the local community.”
However, he admitted that personal attacks are persistent, especially on social media.
“From my observations, the people find it entertaining when candidates appear to bicker about personal issues and are less interested in talks of policies and development programmes.
“For example, the narrative of Malay politics is often tied to sentiments and emotions. To attract their votes, politicians would bicker as this gets the people to pay attention.
“Even though Malay voters prefer elements of entertainment, this should not be the case. Candidates should be talking about policies and development plans.”
As for senior lecturer Mohd Azmir Mohd Nizah, personal attacks in politics should have stopped a long time ago. However, it is still being used today, which results in 3R issues being leveraged for political expediency.
“Due to Kuala Kubu Baharu’s mixed population, the base rhetoric would always become racial.
“Bersatu could instead talk about the survival of Malays and non-Malays. DAP should also focus on reaching out to the Malay voters, not just about the party and the survival of the Chinese.
“I prefer to see how the young candidate brings the inspiration of youth or the experienced candidate could highlight relatable issues.”
The political bickering escalated when PAS highlighted Pang’s vernacular education while Indian leaders continue to butt heads over identity politics.
Pang is in a four-cornered fight with Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Nyau Ke Xin (independent).
United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) chairman P. Ramasamy also called on Kuala Kubu Baharu voters to reject PH, claiming the coalition had failed to fulfil its promises.
PH has helmed the Selangor legislative assembly since 2008.
Meanwhile, DAP wrested Kuala Kubu Baharu from MCA in 2013 and defended the state seat since.
The seat was left vacant this year following the death of assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong of DAP in March due to ovarian cancer. Polling is on May 11 and early voting is on May 7. – May 2, 2024