Rais Warns Malay Anger Could Hand Harapan Third Consecutive Defeat

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Still licking its wounds from two consecutive by-election defeats, Pakatan Harapan will once again march onto the battlefield against a confident Umno and PAS in the April 13 by-election for the Rantau state seat in Negeri Sembilan

Gazing into his crystal ball, Bersatu strategist Rais Husin said the ruling coalition possessed a 50 percent chance of wresting the stronghold of Umno acting chairperson Mohamad Hassan
He cited how the Malays, who make up 53 percent of the electorate, are vexed with the current administration
"Rantau will be very challenging (for Harapan)..
“There is a good chunk of Malay anger towards Harapan due to insecurity (over the state of the Malay community post-GE14). There is a 50-50 chance (of Harapan winning the seat)," he added
He pointed out that the formal alliance between Umno and PAS, two of the biggest Malay-Muslim parties in the nation, would bolster Mohamad's chances as well
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Malaysian Strategic Financial Outlook Forum in Petaling Jaya today, Rais said his predictions were spot on with regard to Harapan's defeat in the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections
"My advice to Harapan is to form a task force to understand the Umno-PAS alliance and understand its ramifications on Malaysia as this will help (in the Rantau by-election),” he added.
Rais also urged Harapan to take the necessary steps to fulfill the promises in its GE14 manifesto and to better communicate to the people those which have been achieved
"At the end of the day, one cannot simply sweep the manifesto under the carpet. Of course, they (the previous administration allegedly) robbed billions of dollars, but the people are also hoping for this manifesto (to be delivered)
"We must deliver the manifesto. Do not look for reasons not to deliver, but find reasons and ways to deliver. Only then can the trust deficit in Harapan be restored,” he added. - Mkini

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