KUALA LUMPUR – The issue of targeted diesel subsidies should not be leveraged as campaign material by the opposition in the Sg Bakap by-election as some of their leaders support the unity government’s decision.
Prof Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian, a political lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, warned that focusing solely on this issue to gain the majority of Malay votes could backfire, given that some PAS leaders were in favour of the targeted diesel subsidy.
“Some Perikatan Nasional leaders agree with the diesel rationalisation, making it a double-edged sword if used throughout the campaign in Sg Bakap. When there’s support from their side (for the government’s decision), it may be difficult to use the diesel subsidy issue as campaign material.
“Therefore, I expect them to continue using national issues such as the cost of living and the prime minister’s performance,” he told Scoop today.
Previously, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan welcomed the government’s good intentions regarding the diesel subsidy targeting measures in a media statement.
However, he also expressed concerns about its implementation, particularly its potential negative impact on people’s lives.
Following this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim thanked the PAS leader for his understanding of the need for targeted diesel subsidies.
Anwar noted that all previous prime ministers from various political parties, including Barisan Nasional and PN, agreed that subsidy targeting was necessary to prevent significant financial leakages for the country.
However, he acknowledged that the government’s measures were not yet perfect and needed continuous improvement.
Sivamurugan suggested that the unity government could support its candidate by explaining the diesel subsidy issue in simple terms to the public.
“The campaign should focus on local issues to prevent misinformation that could backfire.
“Local issues include flooding, the influx of migrant workers, estate housing, infrastructure, job opportunities and public servant welfare. For Pakatan Harapan (PH), the focus should be like the recent campaign in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
“I believe that the support shift of Umno voters, who significantly protested in the last state election, will determine the victory of the PH candidate,” he said.
Meanwhile, political analyst Assoc Prof Mazlan Ali emphasised the importance of the government’s campaign machinery in explaining the need for subsidy targeting.
“It is crucial for the government to ensure that prices do not rise in the coming weeks, proving that the targeted diesel subsidy truly achieves its objectives without affecting low-income groups.
Mazlan predicted that PN would manipulate the diesel subsidy issue to gain support from voters who did not understand the matter.
Former director of the northern branch of Institut Aminuddin Baki, Joohari Ariffin, 60, from PKR, has been announced as the unity government’s candidate for the Sg Bakap state by-election on July 6. Meanwhile, Sg Bakap native Abidin Ismail, 56, will represent PAS and PN. – June 16, 2024