LETTER | Malaysia is a quick-fix country.

We have quick fixes for non-functioning school toilets, dilapidated police and army quarters, airport scanning machines, eradicating poverty, controlling inflation, managing subsidies, providing clean water and building flood mitigation infrastructure.

Now we have quick fix analyses on why Perikatan Nasional gained and Pakatan Harapan-BN withered in the recent state elections.

Please do not misconstrue. I am not blaming the unity government.

Given its infancy, the federal government is under enormous pressure to make a difference.

However, because of the inherited baggage and problems, sometimes the solutions announced appeared “firefighting” haphazard and inordinate. But I still have unwavering faith in the unity government if given more time.

The results of the recent state elections have given rise to numerous analyses, many of which essentially blamed the Harapan-BN for its policies, performance, and competency weaknesses.

The Harapan-BN were not conservative enough, not Malay, and Islamic enough.

Not incompetent

The Harapan-BN politicians are not competent and so far, they have done nothing.

The economy still suffers from high inflation, low wages, and unsustainable subsidies to government deficits and debts. Also, the government has not provided enough to the rural sector.

But are these true?

Were the state elections fought on the basis of those issues I mentioned above?

At any time, Harapan-BN is as pro-Malay and pro-Islam as PN. At any time PH-BN is as competent and rural-centric as PN.

The alliance is more hands-on and more proactive than PN.

What then are the problems that caused PN to grow and Harapan-BN to shrink?

Battle and ideology

I am not a political analyst. But I think the recent state elections have overlooked the battles of perception and the parochial toxic ideologies being disseminated to all.

Who would not feel sentimental about their own race and religion?

Who would not feel insecure, real or imagined, if false narratives were being constantly bombarded into them?

Thus far, Harapan-BN has not found an effective counterpunch against PN.

The message of the need to compromise, care for the poor and marginalised, exercise tolerance and promote good governance has not found traction.

All this takes time. Harapan-BN must plead for more understanding among the rakyat.

Right now, the momentum is with PN. The saving grace is the unity government still has four to five years to work this out.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.