Khairy–Ong ‘third force’? Why voters keep falling for personality politics over policy

Vinodh Rajendran

People in Malaysia never learn!

The hint of Khairy Jamaluddin and Dr Ong Kian Ming forming a ‘third force’ has captured the imagination of voters who have somehow forgotten their past mistakes, preferring to salivate at the sight of a semblance of an option.

Some analysts predict that the ‘third force’ would include the likes of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. They term this prospective union as the team-up that Malaysia needs – a sort of ‘Galacticos of Malaysian politics’ who would move us away from ethnic politics to one that is pro-Malaysia.

The response to this collaboration showcases a changing trend in Malaysia, one that favours personality politics as opposed to ‘policy politics’.

This is a trend that is detrimental to democracy.

Why do we even pretend that pro-Malaysian politics is even an option?

Being pro-Malaysian detrimental to any political party. Why? Because vying for every voter segment reduces the probability, substantially, of capturing any one segment.

There is a reason why Pas flirts with bigoted comments favouring Muslims, particularly rural Muslims. It works!

Imagine if Pas campaigned for a multicultural Malaysia in Kelantan and Terengganu, where Malay-Muslim voters make up the overwhelming majority. Would Pas retain those states? Wouldn’t another party seize the opportunity and dive in to beguile those very voters with more familiar rhetoric?

If voters cared about substance, policies and plans more than race, then parties such as the socialist party PSM, Parti Rakyat Malaysia and Muda would have the largest voter base and seats in Parliament.

Instead, it’s the conservative religious and race-based parties that grab the most attention.

Pro-Malaysian politics is not a choice for the politicians. It is in the hands of the voters. If the 2025 Sabah election taught us anything, it is that political parties play to the tune of the voters, and not the other way around.

The reality of modern Malaysia is that parties are elected based on how much sentiment they can rile up. For some it is ethnicity and religion, while for others it is economics.

Do you really think 1MDB was the largest corruption fiasco in Malaysia’s history? Do you really believe that the rights of the ethnic Malays could ever be infringed upon? Obviously no, but those sentiments work to rile us up when they see fit.

Do you really think that Khairy and Ong, with their combined political experience and fancy degrees, would ever stand on the side of re-engineering our society? Restructuring our education system? Being impartial in their judgement of racism and bigotry? Levelling the playing field to place the people of Malaysia on an equal footing?

Again, it’s an obvious no. Why? Because that would be political suicide.

Electoral politics for the mainstream politicians is all about securing votes – and little else.

Perhaps Khairy knows, just like the rest of us, that the Malay voter marketplace is overcrowded with those vying for the love of the Malays, while the ethnic minorities vote bank is up for grabs.

This union with Ong is the perfect way to bait the fence-sitters who want something new, anything, as long as they are not the options presently available.

Among these fence-sitters are the youth voters, who form a substantial bloc that is more likely to be swayed by short clips and follower counts rather than anything else.

Then, there are the frustrated voters, disillusioned by Pakatan Harapan and who do not see the opposition Perikatan Nasional as an option, thanks to Pas.

Perhaps it is simply strategy.

Where in this do you see an aspiration for a better Malaysia? Or is this union new, simply because they say it is new?

Could the dynamic duo of Khairy and Ong truly change Malaysian politics – a system that is entrenched with bias, favouritism and entitlement? Are they willing to make the unpopular, tough decisions to propel the country forward?

Ong’s recent social media declaration of support for Khairy exemplifies the knee-jerk nature of voters.

Many complain about the lack of reform under the stewardship of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. They throw their hands up in the air, fed up with the lack of reforms and the surplus of unfulfilled promises.

Yet cautious optimism and careful consideration elude them.

‘Once bitten, twice shy’, they say – but that does not seem to apply in politics.

No one has asked how much Khairy has grown from his alleged use of derogatory terms against protesters, or whether he is a Malay nationalist, or a Malaysian first.

These are crucial questions to ask before throwing your support behind someone, wouldn’t you say?

Remember, Anwar Ibrahim was a personality once too, a saviour of sorts. Do you still feel the same way about him?

Are you willing to surrender your right to question your leaders, simply because of popularity?

Your discernment will save us, while your blind allegiance will maintain the status quo. All that glitters is not gold.

Vinodh Rajendran is the producer of Thegoodcastshow Podcast.

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