SHAH ALAM - The dismissal of Tan Sri Noh Omar from Umno could be an advantage for Pas, experts say.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said the Selangor polls will be particularly competitive because it's Malaysia's richest and purportedly most developed state, pitting the newly formed federal unity administration against the growing support for the Islamic party.
"It is feared that Noh Omar may be the 'extra ingredient' needed to push the 'green wave' stronger and take over Selangor.
"If the Pas were to take control of Selangor, it likely to spell the end for Selangor and all Malaysia.
"Noh Omar has built up a tremendous support base over the years, he could just be the extra ingredient the green wave needs to take over Selangor," he told Sinar Daily.
In Selangor, Oh said that it appears that both sides of the political divide have an equal chance of success.
Echoing Oh’s view, International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri viewed that the Umno’s popularity has declined with or without Noh Omar however, the green wave is still possible in Selangor.
"I think Pakatan Harapan will lose to Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming Selangor polls", she said.
Meanwhile, Syaza said Khairy has a good chance to win a seat in the Selangor election.
"Khairy would obviously more likely align with PH given his alleged "centrist" ideology.
"We can see how PH supporters were supposedly torn when Khairy competed in Sg Buloh, so he has supporters here among urban Selangorians.
"I’m curious as to which party has offered him the (menteri besar) MB-ship, but I think if he’s part of PH it would be another scuffle if he is indeed offered the position by PH."
Universiti Putra Malaysia political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan said Noh Omar lost his political popularity when Umno Selangor sank, while PH rose.
"He (Noh Omar) was given a chance to revive Umno Selangor, but failed to do so.
"Noh Omar is a gone case, so too for Umno Selangor,"he stressed.
Jayum said the merging of Umno and PH in the unity government is an odd marriage.
He said Umno and PH are partners at the federal level and at the same time they are not, in some states such as Selangor.
"Since Umno joined hands with the unity government at the federal level, Umno with 4 state seats in Selangor is not invited into the cabinet that is already full of 10 members allowed by the state constitution.
"If they are partners, then the present scenario questions their seat distribution when Selangor holds its general election; PH with 51 seats and Umno with four and PAS with one.
"In such a scenario, how and where would a new menteri besar be expected to emerge from? Jayum questioned.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) political analyst Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam said since Noh Omar has been a prominent member of Umno for a long time, his removal has had some effect on the organisation's grassroots efforts, particularly in Selangor.
"And if he is able to mobilise the grassroots who are with him into the PN, based on the last general election, the number will probably increase towards the PN", Aziz added.
Noh Omar was among eleven members sacked from the party for several offences, including contesting as independent candidates and helping opposition candidates in the polls.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said the Selangor polls will be particularly competitive because it's Malaysia's richest and purportedly most developed state, pitting the newly formed federal unity administration against the growing support for the Islamic party.
"It is feared that Noh Omar may be the 'extra ingredient' needed to push the 'green wave' stronger and take over Selangor.
"If the Pas were to take control of Selangor, it likely to spell the end for Selangor and all Malaysia.
"Noh Omar has built up a tremendous support base over the years, he could just be the extra ingredient the green wave needs to take over Selangor," he told Sinar Daily.
In Selangor, Oh said that it appears that both sides of the political divide have an equal chance of success.
Echoing Oh’s view, International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri viewed that the Umno’s popularity has declined with or without Noh Omar however, the green wave is still possible in Selangor.
"I think Pakatan Harapan will lose to Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming Selangor polls", she said.
Meanwhile, Syaza said Khairy has a good chance to win a seat in the Selangor election.
"Khairy would obviously more likely align with PH given his alleged "centrist" ideology.
"We can see how PH supporters were supposedly torn when Khairy competed in Sg Buloh, so he has supporters here among urban Selangorians.
"I’m curious as to which party has offered him the (menteri besar) MB-ship, but I think if he’s part of PH it would be another scuffle if he is indeed offered the position by PH."
Universiti Putra Malaysia political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan said Noh Omar lost his political popularity when Umno Selangor sank, while PH rose.
"He (Noh Omar) was given a chance to revive Umno Selangor, but failed to do so.
"Noh Omar is a gone case, so too for Umno Selangor,"he stressed.
Jayum said the merging of Umno and PH in the unity government is an odd marriage.
He said Umno and PH are partners at the federal level and at the same time they are not, in some states such as Selangor.
"Since Umno joined hands with the unity government at the federal level, Umno with 4 state seats in Selangor is not invited into the cabinet that is already full of 10 members allowed by the state constitution.
"If they are partners, then the present scenario questions their seat distribution when Selangor holds its general election; PH with 51 seats and Umno with four and PAS with one.
"In such a scenario, how and where would a new menteri besar be expected to emerge from? Jayum questioned.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) political analyst Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam said since Noh Omar has been a prominent member of Umno for a long time, his removal has had some effect on the organisation's grassroots efforts, particularly in Selangor.
"And if he is able to mobilise the grassroots who are with him into the PN, based on the last general election, the number will probably increase towards the PN", Aziz added.
Noh Omar was among eleven members sacked from the party for several offences, including contesting as independent candidates and helping opposition candidates in the polls.