Counting Migrant Workers in Malaysia: A Needlessly Persisting Conundrum

Abstract

FELDA settlers, most of whom are ethnic Malays, have generally been strong BN supporters in past elections; a trend that analysts believe continues until the present day. Indeed, FELDA’s long history of establishing self-contained settlements, accompanied by strong economic and institutional links with BN (via the United Malays National Organization), has prompted some observers to label FELDA schemes as a ready-made ‘vote bank’ for the ruling coalition.