US Election Preview:  Malaysians Watch Harris-Trump Showdown Closely

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- We are thousands of kilometres from the American heartland, yet glued to our screens, refreshing news feeds, and tracking updates on what is arguably one of the world’s most closely watched elections.

As Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump go head-to-head in the United States (US) presidential race, criss-crossing states to rally supports, the stakes are significant not just for Americans but for us here in Malaysia as well.

Why does it matter? The outcome of the 2024 US presidential election carries global implications, especially for international trade, climate change, and foreign policy.

Harris, who is the current Vice President, and former President Trump, offer starkly different visions for America’s future, with issues such as the economy, immigration, healthcare, and international alliances at the forefront of their campaigns.

Multiple polls indicate a tight race between Harris and Trump, with only a narrow margin separating the two candidates.

According to a recent survey by Reuters/Ipsos, Harris leads by a narrow margin — 49 per cent to Trump’s 47 per cent.

The US election system is vast different from Malaysia’s familiar parliamentary set up. The US uses the Electoral College — a state-based mechanism that assigns different weights to each state’s vote.

This means that even if a candidate wins the popular vote, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee them the presidency.

It all comes down to battleground states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, where both candidates are pulling out all the stops.

For Malaysia, the election outcome could influence bilateral relations, especially in trade and investment.

The US remains one of Malaysia’s largest trading partners, and shifts in American trade policies or economic priorities could impact our export-oriented economy.

The world’s media has been closely monitoring the race, with leaders and analysts worldwide paying attention.

Doha-based Al Jazeera recently shared on its Instagram account (@aljazeeraenglish) how the US election could significantly influence global politics.

As Election Day approaches, ABC News’ World News Tonight on Instagram (@abcworldnewstonight)  reported a warning from the FBI regarding foreign disinformation campaigns targeting election security.

Social media is also abuzz with election discussions. From Twitter to Instagram, people across the globe are weighing in on issues ranging from economic forecasts, geopolitical strategy discussions to cultural impacts, with hashtags like #USElection2024 and #ElectionImpact.

This election is not merely America’s story. It is a global drama unfolding before our eyes, with Malaysia tuning in closely, hoping the next US president’s vision aligns with our interests.

-- BERNAMA