SHAH ALAM – The victory in the Ayer Kuning State Legislative Assembly by-election is crucial for both BN (Barisan Nasional) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) as a symbolic measure of current support levels.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Political Science senior lecturer Dr Ariff Aizuddin Azlan said that with several unpopular government decisions and policies such as the removal of subsidies, the public's acceptance of the government could be reflected in the outcome of this election.
He added that while it might not be on a larger scale, it reflected grassroots support at a smaller level.
"If we look at any by-election, it will certainly have its own implications and significance.
"Based on the statement by Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the main thing to consider is measuring the current level of support.
"Especially at this time, when the situation is critical with issues like government policies, such as the withdrawal of diesel subsidies and others that may be introduced.
"To some extent, this will have an impact. The most significant issue is how much this by-election will impact BN, especially since their candidate is from that party," he told Sinar on Tuesday.
He made these comments in response to Zahid's statement that BN must win the Ayer Kuning by-election as a determinant of the success of the unity government.
Zahid also said that this victory was desired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who hoped the momentum from the victories in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections would continue in Ayer Kuning.
Ariff added that BN needed to work hard to maintain its victory as several recent issues had not been favourable to the government.
"What they need to do is form a new and fresh narrative, in addition to fieldwork.
"At the same time, BN needs help from its political partner, PH, to shape a narrative that can influence the minds of voters and the public in general to help secure their victory in Ayer Kuning.
"BN and PH need to explain why the people should vote for them. This is important because if they fail to present this narrative, I think voters will turn to the opposition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), as a new alternative," he said.
He also said that this by-election was also an important platform to see how far BN, in particular, was able to influence voters’ minds with the aspirations they present to the public, and not just through promises of development.