The opposition must do more to “convince the Malays” of its sincerity, if it wants to save the country, was one of the ideas mooted during the Save Malaysia, round table discussion held today.

Although the round table was held to discuss ways to save Malaysia, several opposition leaders present noted that obtaining the support of the Malay majority is key to any such initiative.

And as such, the opposition must rethink its strategy in approaching the Malays as what it is doing, does not seem to be working.

Contrary to popular belief, Malays, said PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, “can count and understand national issues”.

“We are partly responsible for the predicament we are in because we have taken the approach in which they don’t understand.

“The more we talk down to them, the more they don’t trust us,” said Rafizi, who had earlier presented on the various financial scandals plaguing Malaysia.

And Malay voters, he added, were not entirely convinced that the country’s institutions would be better off in the hands of the opposition.

“We can’t get rid of (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) unless we convince the Malays and all Malaysians that we are better off if we get rid of Najib.”

Citing the survey conducted by the Invoke Centre for Policy Initiatives (I-CPI) which found that 40 percent of Malay respondents would still vote for Barisan Nasional, Rafizi said this was proof that the split among the Malays was “very real”.
 
People vote with their heart

“We don’t understand that Malay voters need more than just talk. Telling people that Najib is going to bring us down is not enough.

“Unfortunately, they don’t think that we can do a better job. They are just not convinced,” he added.

The opposition, therefore, must think of ways to be seen as a coalition that is sincere and not opportunistic.

“People don’t vote with their mind, they vote with their heart,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Pandan MP  also explained what he believes may be the reason why most Malaysians were reluctant to vote for the opposition.

This he argued, concerns the credibility of the opposition front. which makes it important for the opposition to move away from being seen as opportunistic, he said.

“Why do we lack credibility? We have been out of touch, to the point of being condescending.”

Rafizi explained that there was no question among the people that Najib was "bad", and even Umno members and leaders, he further claimed, would attest to this.
 
“We just have to convince the people enough that we can do a better job. We must honestly accept failings and offer solutions that may be controversial,” he said.

Perception of the Malays

Meanwhile, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad also stressed the importance in showing the Malays that the opposition was indeed concerned about the people.

“(Some Malays) view the Chinese in particular as sort of opponents or enemies.

“Simple Malays think ‘We are Malays, they are Chinese, we are Muslims, they are not, we are right, they are wrong,” he added.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu, in his speech, claimed that “everyone knew Najib is bad”, but the question lies on the confidence of the Malays on their fate should BN is defeated.

“The confidence of the Malays on if BN were to lose and what will happen to them. This should be something we should work on until the next general election.

“The issue of corruption is well-known but what’s important is to build up confidence.

“It’s not east to change the perception of the Malays,” he added.

Mohamad however noted how with the presence of Bersatu, the confidence of the Malays (for the opposition), has slightly changed for the better.

“They are not afraid if there is a change in government,” he claimed.