GE16 to feature ‘uninspiring but functional narratives’, says ex-Umno info chief

PETALING JAYA: A former Umno information chief has predicted that the next general election will feature “uninspiring but functional narratives” as parties look to win the support of voters.

Shahril Hamdan said no party could credibly promise transformative change at the next nationwide polls.

He said Pakatan Harapan (PH) would likely urge voters to give it another term, and point out that Barisan Nasional (BN) was in power for six decades.

He said PH would likely say it is unfair to judge its performance as it only governed for a short period and did not even have a full majority.

BN, meanwhile, might say that things did not turn out well under the PH-led government, and that it would be better to return a stable coalition that is experienced and better able to manage race relations to power, he said.

Speaking at a forum here last night, he said BN would also argue that, despite its flaws, it knows how to run the system better than newer entrants who “might talk a good game but struggle with delivery and coordination with the civil service”.

As for Perikatan Nasional, Shahril said that depending on its internal dynamics – particularly ties with PAS – it could put forth a narrative centred on the need for strong Malay-Muslim leadership.

“So, it becomes a contest of relatively uninspiring but functional narratives, each of which may resonate with different segments of voters,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said that legacy parties would still have the advantage.

“Each of them is selling a message that is not particularly inspirational, but which may still be effective for their political purposes,” he said, adding that voters were no longer receptive to the idea of “vote for me and I will save you”.