Analysts: Opposition rally more about election messaging than toppling PM

New Straits Times

13 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Political analysts said the Turun Anwar protest appeared like an attempt to sway public sentiment, acting as groundwork for election messaging rather than a realistic attempt to force Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's resignation.
"The rally appeared more like a calculated effort by opposition leaders to sway public sentiment, spotlight government failures, and lay groundwork for election messaging, rather than a realistic attempt to force Anwar's resignation via legislative means.
"While the rhetoric was about demanding Anwar's resignation, the opposition seems to lack parliamentary strength for a legitimate no‑confidence motion," University Malaya political analyst Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said.
He added that with a lack of parliamentary motion, resignations, and Anwar remaining in office, the rally didn't produce institutional or leadership change.
Meanwhile, Sunway University political scientist Professor Wong Chin Huat said that the rally was an attempt for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to remain relevant.
"So, if Anwar steps down and a new government is formed with most of the existing Madani parliamentarians, the new government is likely to continue most of Madani's policies PN condemns. PN knows this.
"PN needs this protest just to stay relevant – its momentum is residing whenever the prospect of regime change appears dim.
"And of course, Hamzah's supporters are pushing for his own rise by testing the water with 'Naik Hamzah' (opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin) placards," Wong said.
However, while PN hoped to capitalise on the discontent over institutional reforms and democratic backsliding, Wong said, other than Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) which sent a representative to participate, no other party or NGO which represented the liberal-minority constituency played along with PN.
He added that the rally was an attempt to push a narrative that Anwar has lost the Malays' support, and Umno, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and others would leave the government.
To Wong, the rally was a failure compared to the 2018 Anti-ICERD Rally, which saw a turnout over 50,000.
Nonetheless, it seemed to have relative successes.
The organisers' claim that the turnout would be higher than yesterday's 18,000 people, successfully drew national and regional media attention to the event, Awang Azman said.
The media previously reported that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claimed that the turnout would reach a million.
"Media traction and policy responses were gained, but there was no toppling of leadership, and turnout was modest enough for the unity government to claim democratic legitimacy," the analyst said.
The professor also said that ahead of the rally, the prime minister's announcement of RM100 cash aid for all Malaysians and slashing Ron95 petrol prices to RM1.99/litre, was deemed as a catalysed government response to the rally.
"It's widely interpreted as an effort to defuse public anger and dampen turnout.
"The administration's decision to respond with targeted aid and fuel price relief reflects a willingness to listen and adapt which indicates responsiveness rather than confrontation," Awang Azman said.