SHAH ALAM - Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), which are now on one team, are predicted to conquer Penang and Selangor in the state election on August 12.
Based on an independent research body known as The Elections Lab, PH-BN will dominate 29 seats out of 40 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats contested in the Penang state election this time.
They are Sungai Puyu, Bagan Jermal, Bagan Dalam, Berapit, Machang Bubuk, Padang Lalang, Perai, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Tambun, Jawi, Tanjong Bunga, Air Putih, Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, Padang Kota, Pengkalan Kota, Komtar, Dato Keramat, Sungai Pinang, Batu Lancang, Seri Delima, Air Itam, Paya Terubong, Batu Uban, Pantai Jerejak, Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Betong, and Telok Bahang.
The toughest competitor of the PH-BN coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), was expected to win only five state assembly seats, namely in Penaga, Permatang Berangan, Sungai Dua, Permatang Pasir, and Penanti.
Meanwhile, six more state assembly seats, namely Bertam, Pinang Tunggal, Telok Ayer Tawar, Seberang Jaya, Sungai Bakap, and Sungai Acheh, are in a 50-50 situation between PH-BN or PN.
"The prediction was carried out based on our probability calculations and simulations based on the readings of support obtained in the last 15th General Election (GE15).
"However, the final result still depends on the neat and organised election process between the party coalitions," The Election Lab said on Monday.
As for Selangor, The Election Lab's findings showed that it was highly likely that the PH-BN coalition would be able to win 38 of the 56 contested state assembly seats.
The seats include Sekinchan, Hulu Bernam, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Permatang, Bukit Melawati, Ijok, Rawang, Taman Templer, Sungai Tua, Gombak Setia, Bukit Antarabangsa, Lembah Jaya, Pandan Indah, Teratai, Dusun Tua, Semenyih, Kajang, Balakong, Seri Kembangan, Seri Serdang, Kinrara, Subang Jaya, Seri Setia, Bukit Gasing, Kampung Tunku, Bandar Utama, Bukit Lanjan, Paya Jaras, Kota Damansara, Kota Anggerik, Meru, New Town Klang, Pandamaran, Sentosa, Kota Kemuning, Banting, Tanjong Sepat, and Sungai Pelek.
This was followed by the PN coalition's expectation to win ten state assembly seats, namely Sungai Air Tawar, Sungai Panjang, Sungai Burong, Kuang, Sungai Ramal, Batu Tiga, Selat Klang, Sungai Kandis, Sijangkang, and Morib.
In the meantime, a total of eight state assembly seats, including Sabak, Batang Kali, Jeram, Hulu Kelang, Taman Medan, Sementa, Port Klang, and Dengkil, in a 50-50 position, will either be won by PH-BN or PN.
The PN coalition consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), led by the eighth former Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and PAS, led by its President, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The results of GE14 in 2018 saw PH, which at the time was made up of PKR, Bersatu, DAP, and Amanah, won in the two states involved.
In Penang, for example, PH managed to win 37 seats out of 40 state assembly seats contested, while BN got two seats and Pas got one seat.
As for the state of Selangor, PH won big when it won 51 seats out of 56 state assembly seats contested, followed by BN with four seats and PAS with one seat.