As campaign gathers steam, PN appears to control narrative on living costs

As the battle for the hearts and minds of voters in six states intensifies ahead of polling day on Aug 12, ruling parties are increasingly faced with the challenge of fending off issues related to rising living costs.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been actively raising issues related to the economy at its campaign events, with its chairman questioning the measures taken by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to ease the people's burden.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is leading PN's charge in Selangor, where some of the biggest election battles are being fought, has narrowed down on economy and investment, a subject close to him, having served in economic affairs and later international trade and industry portfolios.

Pakatan Harapan's (PH) replies mostly came from Rafizi Ramli.

But many of his explanations centred on the financial burdens that the government has to bear, such as subsidies, operating expenses, and interest on the national debt.

"Eventually, the money will run out, so how are we going to help the people to raise wages, build more houses, and create poverty eradication programmes that will change people's lives?" the economy minister said at an event in Sungai Tua last weekend.

"If we want to lower the price of oil, we have to look at the price (lower than) RM2.05 cents per litre and how much money the government has to spend (on subsidies).

"The current price of crude oil is US$80 per barrel. This means the government needs to subsidise RM1 per litre and maintain the price at RM2.05," he said.

A researcher said the government's responses showed an inefficient political communications strategy.

"The main challenge of the PH-led government is not just to fend off PN's campaign," Anis Anwar Suhaimi, chief researcher at O2 Research Malaysia, told MalaysiaNow.

He said Anwar's government was now haunted by the promises it made during its time in the opposition.

"Its failure to walk the talk on its own promises has caused more people to question its integrity and competence."

On the other hand, Anis said PN has been able to identify issues of concern, allowing it to form a narrative in line with public sentiments.

He said while government leaders may be aware of these issues, their position in power prevents them from promoting populist campaigns as they did when in the opposition.