Tingkah Laku Pengundi Felda dalam PRU-14: Identifikasi Parti, Sosiologikal atau Pilihan Rasional? (Felda’s Voter Behaviour in GE-14: Party Identification,Sociological or Rational Choice?)

Authors

  • Mohammad Agus Yusoff Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Shah Mohd Akmal Abdul Halim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Abstract

Sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 (PRU-14), Felda adalah kawasan deposit tetap parti pemerintah Barisan Nasional (BN). Ini kerana dalam pilihan raya sebelum ini pengundi Felda telah memberikan kesetiaan kepada BN yang telah banyak berjasa kepada mereka. Selain itu, Felda juga merupakan kawasan pengundi Melayu yang cenderung mengundi berdasarkan pendekatan sosiologikal, iaitu mengundi mengikut kelompok sosial mereka. Namun dalam PRU-14, BN telah gagal mengekalkan deposit tetap ini setelah beberapa kawasan Felda tumbang kepada parti oposisi Pakatan Harapan (PH). Perubahan ini adalah disebabkan oleh banyaknya isu Felda yang berbangkit sehingga pengundi tidak lagi mengundi berdasarkan kesetiaan kepada parti atau kelompok etnik tetapi berdasarkan pilihan rasional.Kajian ini dilakukan menerusi pendekatan kualitatif dengan menggunakan sumber sekunder daripada laporan SPR, buku, jurnal, makalah, laman sesawang, akhbar atas talian dan beberapa bahan lain sebagai data kajian. Data-data ini kemudiannya dianalisis secara kualitatif. Artikel ini membincangkan hal ini dengan memberi fokus kepada tiga perkara berikut. Pertama, menelusuri tingkah laku pengundi Felda sebelum PRU-14. Kedua, mengenal pasti pencapaian parti yang bertanding di kawasan Felda dalam PRU-14. Ketiga, menilai faktor berlakunya perubahan tingkah laku pengundi Felda daripada menjadi deposit tetap BN kepada mengundi oposisi PH. Dapatan kajian mendapati pengundi Felda tidak lagi mengundi mengikut kesetiaan kepada parti atau kelompok etnik, tetapi berdasarkan kepada pilihan rasional, iaitu isu-isu seperti 1MDB, FGV, dan skandal-skandal Felda. Isu-isu ini dengan cepat mempengaruhi tingkah laku pengundi Felda apabila media baharu memainkan peranan dalam menyampaikan maklumat ini kepada mereka. Di akhir analisisnya, artikel ini berhujah peralihan tingkah laku ini telah menyumbang kepada kegagalan BN mempertahankan kuasanya dalam PRU-14.Kata kunci: PRU-14; pengundi Felda; prestasi parti; tingkah laku pengundi; pilihan rasionalAbstractFelda settlements have always been Barisan Nasional’s (BN) fixed deposits, but that was prior to the 14th General Election (GE-14). It was mainly due to the settlers’ undivided loyalty to the ruling party in view of its massive contributions in the development of the settlements. In addition, the Malays, a majority ethnic of Felda settlements casted their votes based on sociological approach, ie. votedaccording to social or ethnic group. Unexpectedly, in the GE-14, BN failed to retain its strongholds as numerous Felda constituencies fell to the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH).The latest Malaysian political tsunamy occurred due to numerous unresolved Felda-related issues. It showcased a major shift in the electorates’ voting behaviour from ethnic-based to rational choice. This study was conducted through a qualitative approach using secondary sources from SPR reports, books, journals, articles, websites, online newspapers and other materials as research data. These data are then analyzed qualitatively. This article discusses the change in regards of three matters. First, identifying the settlers’ voting behaviour prior to the election. Secondly, analyzing contested parties’ electoral performance in the Felda settlements. Thirdly, assessing change factors, or causes of BN’s loss of its fixed deposits to the oppositions. The findings reveal thatvoters in Felda settlements were no longer voting based on loyalty to a party orany ethnic group, but based on rational choice. The electoral decision was based on an array of issues like 1MDB, FGV, and Felda scandals. Theissues plusa role of new media in spreading information and sentiment aggravated the desire to change amongst Felda settlers. In the final analysis, this paper argues the voters in Felda settlements voted on rational choice basis, and the altered voting behaviour contributed to the BN’s failure in retainingits powerin the GE-14.Keywords: 14th GE; Felda voters; party performance; voting behaviour; rational choice

Author Biographies

Mohammad Agus Yusoff, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohammad Agus Yusoff was born in Machang, Kelantan. He received his primary and secondary education at Sekolah Hamzah Machang until he completed his O level. After graduating from the University of Malaya, he studied he Master's and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Manchester, England. Agus has taught at the University of Manchester, wrote dozens of books and scientific articles in his field and has presented his paper at hundreds of local and international seminars. The acceptance of his credentials by the academic community in the field can be seen when he was accepted to present his research findings on his field of specialization in 32 countries, namely Canada, China, England, Germany, Spain, Japan, India, Mauritius, Australia, Turkey, Italy, USA, Taiwan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, South Korea, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, South Africa, Argentina, Bhutan, Ghana and Portugal. In addition, he is also often referred to by local and foreign media to give his views on political developments in the country and internationally. He also often wrote his views about politics in newspapers and magazines. In addition, he is also heavily involved in giving motivational talks and other social activities. He is currently professor of political science at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Shah Mohd Akmal Abdul Halim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Shah Mohd Akmal Abdul Halim adalah anak kelahiran Johor. Beliau mendapat Ijazah Sarjanamuda Sains Politik dari Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia dan sekarang ini ialah pelajar Sarjana di Program Sains Politik, Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

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Published

2019-10-31

Issue

Vol. 89 No. 3 (2019): Akademika 89

Section

Regular Articles

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