Why is PAS hesitant about restoring local government elections?

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PAS's Hesitation Stems from Electoral Concerns and Racial Disparities

PAS's reluctance to support the restoration of local government elections is primarily driven by concerns that the party would not fare well in such polls, coupled with assertions that reinstating this electoral tier could exacerbate racial inequalities and potentially lead to disunity. This stance has been articulated by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who has linked the revival of local elections to a worsening of the position of Malays and a risk of repeating past racial unrest.
Concerns Over Electoral Performance and Confidence

The primary driver behind PAS's hesitation appears to be a lack of confidence in its own electoral prospects should local government elections be reinstated. This sentiment is echoed by observations that victories at the local level can often precede national-level successes, suggesting that a poor showing in local polls might indicate broader electoral challenges for the party. The internal disagreements within Pakatan Rakyat regarding this issue further suggest a potential re-evaluation of the coalition's broader ambitions to govern the country.
Assertions of Worsening Racial Inequality

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has contended that restoring local government elections would detrimentally impact Malays by worsening racial inequality. This argument has been countered with data indicating significant "Malay urbanisation," showing an increased Malay population in towns and cities over recent decades. Statistics reveal that out of 148 local authorities in Malaysia, a substantial majority of 132 are Malay-majority areas, with only three being Chinese-majority and 13 mixed.
Fears of Imbalanced Representation and Disunity

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has also voiced concerns that reinstating local government elections could result in imbalanced racial representation in urban areas, particularly those with a high concentration of non-Bumiputeras. Furthermore, Abdul Hadi Awang has claimed that the revival of these elections could foster disunity and potentially trigger a recurrence of the May 13, 1969, racial riots. These assertions highlight a deep-seated apprehension about the socio-political consequences of reintroducing local elections.

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Why is PAS hesitant about restoring local government elections?

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