by VEISHNAWI NEHRU

THE diesel subsidy cut is not the reason for Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) loss in the Sungai Bakap, Penang, by-election; instead, it is about the turnout rate.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli (picture) said there was no significant swing in Malay support for PH candidates, and the turnout rate was crucial.

“When considering Chinese and Indian voters who make up half of the electorate, their support remains stable,” he said during a press conference at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) investment forum today.

He added that the impact of fuel subsidies needs further investigation through focus groups to understand why non-Malay voters are less engaged.

“Historically, non-Malays have lower turnout during elections. Diesel issues do not significantly affect Malay voters. We need comprehensive data to understand these dynamics fully,” he said.

He also mentioned that the parameters remain unchanged from last year, suggesting stability.

“It is premature to draw conclusions; we must analyse all factors thoroughly,” he said.