Zahid using contractor row to shore up Malay support, say analysts
Political analysts suggest that Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is using the issue of delayed payments to rural contractors to bolster his support among Malay voters. By publicly criticizing the government's handling of these payments, he is attempting to pressure Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and position Umno as the defender of rural economic interests.
Why it matters
This highlights internal political tensions within the Malaysian government and the strategic use of economic grievances to influence ethnic-based voter bases.
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also holds the rural and regional development portfolio, voiced frustration over delayed payments to contractors carrying out rural development projects. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have described deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's public criticism of delayed payments to rural development contractors as a deliberate political move to protect Umno’s support among Malay and rural voters.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
International Islamic University Malaysia's Syaza Shukri said the remarks by Zahid, who also holds the rural and regional development portfolio, were aimed at Umno's grassroots base, given that the rural and regional development ministry deals predominantly with Bumiputera contractors.
She said any pushback from the Treasury could strengthen Umno’s narrative that it is defending the economic interests of rural Malays.
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