Yoursay: Tg Piai will determine whether Harapan should change course

YOURSAY | ‘Harapan cannot abandon those who voted for them in favour of those who will never vote for them.’

Protest votes loom as some Chinese voters seek to 'teach Harapan a lesson'

Anonymous 770241447347646: Pakatan Harapan must buck up in the last days of campaigning in Tanjung Piai to garner as much support from the people as it can. The situation on the ground does not show that it is in their favour.

The damage done by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad through his policies, U-turns and allowing certain individuals to get away with insulting other races have not gone down well with the public.

If Harapan candidate Karmaine Sardini wins on Saturday, will efforts be taken to fulfil many of the coalition’s promises made before GE14? Will the interest of the nation be given priority or will the agenda of certain politicians continue until the next general election?

This by-election will show whether the trust in the Harapan government is still there. The result will show whether Bersatu has succeeded in luring Malay support in line with its priority.

The result will also show if there is a need for Harapan to make drastic changes to retain the people’s support in the next general election.

MK Follower: Everything in Malaysian politics now revolves around the exact date Mahathir is to hand over power to his successor. It may also determine whether Harapan will win in the Tanjung Piai by-election on Saturday.

Despite Gerakan being a mosquito party, it will be my choice for this by-election.

This is a golden opportunity to send a strong message to Bersatu, especially its most powerful leader, Mahathir, that the rakyat is fed-up with its antics.

Hanafiah Puteh: I think even the Malays are fed up with the divide-and-rule practice by the Bersatu head.

If Malaysia is to be united and progressive, the Malays have to reject racist views and actions altogether. These are the viruses currently causing disunity in the country.

The Analyser: The only good thing to come out of Harapan’s reign since last year is the lowering of the voting age, and even that was only possible with the support of the opposition in Parliament.

In contrast, the mandated reforms which have not happened are a huge black mark on Harapan’s record.

Lawan Arus: The people are disappointed and angry with the Harapan government, but to vote for the same BN kleptomaniacs is certainly wrong.

The people had voted for change at GE14 and yes, there’s nothing to stop them to vote for yet another change at GE15.

But for now, it’s best to keep status quo despite the anger and disappointment.

David Dass: It will be a mistake for voters to vote for the opposition in order to teach Harapan a lesson. Malaysians have come a long way to risk so much to provide BN with a morale-boosting victory.

Whatever misgivings one has over the Harapan government in power, we need to acknowledge that much good has come from the change.

Never mind some of the rubbish that comes from the mouths of some of the Harapan politicians. The truth is that there have been some good changes. And more will come, we have to believe that.

Fair Play: A loss of just one parliamentary seat in the by-election will not signal the end of Harapan, but perhaps will be taken as a slap in the face for Mahathir.

Didn’t you see how the prime minister twisted and turned in the Zakir Naik issue?

Only a defeat for Bersatu would teach Harapan not to take the people for granted and adopt a firm stand regarding the succession plan immediately.

Thick Skin: The Chinese had high hopes for Harapan after GE14, especially after hearing all the promises made regarding no more discrimination based on race and religion in the country. But sadly, they discover that Mahathir has not changed.

His mosquito-sized Bersatu party was given a bigger share of the cabinet posts and they have proved to be similar to the BN administration.

The Chinese are unhappy about being fooled by Mahathir and Bersatu, and want them out. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the by-election.

Anonymous 1564716714052: It doesn't matter if BN wins the by-election, Harapan would still retain the majority to run the government.

What is more important is to send a message to Harapan that their strategy of abandoning the people who voted for them in the hopes of getting the votes of those that will never vote for them has failed.

It will also send a strong message to Mahathir that his time is up and that he has overstayed his welcome.

Black Thorn: Sometimes, we need to hit rock-bottom to realise we need to take affirmative action for a better tomorrow.

Bersatu is becoming arrogant and ungrateful. Yes, voters need to teach them a lesson.

The other Harapan parties will be victims in this case, but they need to wake up and seriously reconsider their coalition partners. Bersatu certainly does not share the same vision and aspirations as them.

Another Komentar: The lesson that Malaysia hasn’t learnt from history is that the country will move ever closer to kleptocracy, racism and religious fanaticism if Malaysians continue to be ruled by racists and religious opportunists whose sole preoccupation is to perpetuate their political powers, instead of governing for all the people.

Young Malaysiakini Reader: Many years ago, there used to be a saying ‘vote the government during general elections, and vote for the opposition during by-elections’.

And I think I now know why - because the ruling coalition will always need to be taught a lesson and reminded to buck up by the rakyat in between general elections.

Headhunter: Malaysians are waking up to the realisation that power lies in their own hands and politicians are there just to serve the rakyat, not themselves.

Yoursay: Harapan bracing for backlash in Saturday’s by-election

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