SHAH ALAM - The upcoming elections in six states serve as a test for the unity government in Malaysia, as the results could determine which of the two prominent coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH) - Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) as more influence.
Dr Oh Ei Sun, the principal adviser at Pacific Research Center of Malaysia and Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Selangor and Negeri Sembilan remain a battleground that may witness a change of government.
"It's like a preliminary exam for the Unity government at the Federal level even though it's just for the state’s elections” he said.
Oh predicts that PN is likely to win in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah while PH is expected to claim Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang.
"If it is three versus three, then I think everything will still be quite peaceful” he said this during Sinar Daily's Voting Nation Live Programme, today.
He predicted the Unity government would then be able to run for almost its full term peacefully.
However, Dr Oh said if PN wins over Selangor or Negeri Sembilan, or both, resulting in a scenario of five states versus one, the unity government may face vulnerability, leading to citizens to have second thoughts at the federal level.
People will vote in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Penang on Aug 12.