KUALA LUMPUR – Over half of the non-Malay voters eligible to participate in the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 did not cast their ballots, raising concerns for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his 19-month-old government. These minority groups have historically been a key support base for Anwar’s administration.
Compounding the issue, the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government has faced declining support from the Malay-Muslim majority, evidenced by a more significant loss to its Islamist rival compared to the state election in 2023. This trend indicates a challenging political landscape for Anwar and his coalition moving forward.