BN-PN partnership reinforces Malay-Islam narrative in Melaka, says academic
MELAKA: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) apparent strong showing in yesterday’s Melaka state election could signal a resurgence of Malay support for the coalition in traditional Umno strongholds, amid growing cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN), analysts said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said his field research indicated that the combination of Umno and PAS support had strengthened the Malay-Islam political narrative, particularly among rural voters.
“When PAS supports BN, their votes combine and strengthen the Malay-Islam narrative. This is the so-called blue wave.”
