The Madani administration of prime minister Anwar Ibrahim is complacent and it is not rocket science to understand why Pakatan Harapan (PH) lost in the Sungai Bakap by-election.

The by-election on 6 July was called when the incumbent state assemblyman, PAS’ Nibong Tebal division chief Nor Zamri Latiff, died from a stomach inflammation.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, Dr Joohari Ariffin, faced off with the PN’s representative, Nibong Tebal PAS vice-chief Abidin Ismail.

When PH lost, the blame game started.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary general Hamzah Zainudin praised the Malays for coming out to vote, and blamed the non-Malays for PH’s defeat.

Penang chief minister, DAP’s Chow Kon Yeow, blamed the Unity Government’s national issues, targeted diesel subsidy, inflation, and cost of living for PH’s defeat.

He said the PH candidate was not at fault.

Some constituent members rejected the PH candidate, Joohari Arifin, because he was too arrogant during campaigning.

PAS attributed their majority win to an acceptance of PN by non-Malay voters. He blamed the PH coalition for ignoring their own supporters.

Amanah Youth blamed the defeat on the government’s poor communication and said the government had failed to attract the youth.

Umno-Baru veterans association leader blamed DAP for the defeat and said Umno-Baru had invested much time, effort and resources in the campaign, unlike DAP.

DAP Penang dismissed claims of failing to engage Chinese voters in Sungai Bakap. They would say that, wouldn’t they?

Then came the various expressions of regret.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government would learn from the people’s voices at the ballot box, including in Sungai Bakap.

He and his peers should have listened to the rakyat, who having voted for the PH government in GE15 were left disappointed with the lack of reforms.

Name-calling shows arrogance, disrespect and bad manners.

On the final day of campaigning, Rafizi Ramli, the PKR deputy president and Minister for the Economy, insulted his critics by referring to them as ‘bahlol’ (moron) and ‘bodoh’ (idiot).

Ministers should never injure the dignity and pride of the rakyat. Rafizi should apologise for his arrogance and insensitivity following the humiliating defeat. But will he?

Anwar and his cabinet were too complacent, too arrogant, refused to listen and are now forced into a humiliating position.

The daughter of the PM, Nurul Izzah, once known as “Puteri Reformasi”, said the Sungai Bakap defeat was a sign for self-reflection for the party/coalition. She said that PKR would earn the people’s trust and continue to strive for change.

PH supporters had given her father, the PM, their full support in GE15, but he rewarded them by pandering to the Malay-Muslim vote only.

If she were to recall, her father made her his Special Adviser and initially disregarded our cries of nepotism, lack of transparency and special treatment, until the fallout from the appointment of his daughter became a huge distraction and threatened the fragile Unity Government.

By allocating politicians as heads of GLCs, Anwar had broken yet another promise.

The buck stops at the top.

One socio-politico analyst said, “When the leader prioritises his own interests and his party’s interests over the interests of the nation, the people will reject the government. When the leaders are resistant to change and refuse to implement the promised reforms, then the citizens will reject the leaders.

“Ever since Anwar came to power, there has been poor communication between the top and the grassroots. The leaders’ inability to listen will lead to a breakdown not just of the country, but also of the component parties which make up the coalition.”

Will Anwar listen? Perhaps not.

For the second time in the latest round of by-elections, he refused to participate in party campaigns. Earlier in May, he had also refrained from taking part in the Kuala Kubu Baharu campaign.

A complacent Anwar probably thought he could depend on non-Malay votes to win. He was wrong because in Sungai Bakap, they wanted to punish him for refusing to listen to their woes, and so they stayed at home.

A complacent Anwar probably thought he could cultivate the Malay vote with various concessions towards the Malay-Muslim community. This strategy failed because the Malays continued to reject him and now, he has alienated the non-Malays, the core of his support base.

A complacent Anwar may claim that the country has benefited from increased foreign investments, but how does this translate to the ordinary man in rural and semi-rural areas, whose lives are shattered by the cost of living crisis?

At the same time, in the urban areas, many more middle-class families are struggling with price increases in food, fuel and energy, the deteriorating education of their children, increasing polarisation in the community and the rise in religious extremism. Many are dissatisfied with the Madani administration.

One disillusioned Harapan and PKR supporter said, “Anwar is too busy focusing on the needs of the Hamas conflict in the Middle East and willingly gave away RM100 million, when back home, his own people are struggling and suffering.

“When Anwar returned (to Malaysia), he was preoccupied with enabling house arrest for the convicted felon, Najib Abdul Razak. He has no time for the rakyat.”

Concerned citizens had been highlighting many issues, but they were rebuffed.

Anwar and his cabinet were too complacent, too arrogant, refused to listen and are now forced into a humiliating position.

PH deserves to lose.

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)