Mahfuz Omar Urges Malaysians to Reject Fear Politics and Vote on Leadership, Policies and Performance
ALOR SETAR: Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar has called on Malaysians to reject what he described as “politics of fear”, arguing that elections should be decided by leadership, policies and the ability to improve people’s lives rather than campaigns built around creating public anxiety.
Speaking amid an increasingly heated political climate, Mahfuz said fear-based narratives have repeatedly surfaced in Malaysian politics over the years, with rival parties portraying one another as threats instead of competing on governance, economic plans and public service.
According to the former Pokok Sena MP, such political tactics distract voters from evaluating the real issues affecting the country, including the economy, job creation, education, investment and the rising cost of living.
He said political parties should instead convince voters through practical solutions and a clear vision for Malaysia’s future.
“There was a time when PAS labelled UMNO supporters as infidels. Later, UMNO portrayed PAS as being controlled by DAP. More recently, PAS and Perikatan Nasional described UMNO in the Unity Government as ‘UMDAP’.
“Now, another narrative has emerged that seeks to make people fear Pakatan Harapan simply because of DAP’s presence. The question is, how much longer should Malaysians be governed through fear?” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mahfuz argued that fear alone cannot improve people’s quality of life or address the challenges facing ordinary Malaysians.
He said issues such as building better schools, increasing household incomes, creating employment opportunities and reducing the cost of living require effective policies, competent administration and cooperation among all communities.
Instead of encouraging meaningful debate on national development, he said fear-based politics often diverts public attention away from the issues that directly affect people’s daily lives.
Mahfuz compared the approach to driving a vehicle while covering the front windscreen, leaving passengers focused only on what is behind them instead of where they are heading.
“Malaysia cannot continue moving forward by constantly looking at imagined enemies. The country needs leadership with a clear direction for the future,” he said.
The Amanah leader also questioned the development record of several states governed by Perikatan Nasional, including Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
He claimed that despite continuous political rhetoric targeting opponents, these states continue to face longstanding development challenges that require greater attention from policymakers.
Mahfuz urged Malaysians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds to strengthen national unity and reject political narratives that he believes divide society for electoral gain.
He said elections should serve as an opportunity for voters to determine which political coalition is best equipped to govern the country and deliver tangible improvements rather than rewarding parties that rely on creating fear among the electorate.
With campaigning intensifying ahead of upcoming elections, Mahfuz maintained that Malaysia’s political future should be shaped by ideas, performance and public trust, not by narratives that deepen divisions or distract from the nation’s long-term priorities.
