The uprising of green wave is unstoppable, experts say
MOHD FAIZUL HAIKA MAT KHAZI08 Feb 2023 07:30am
Photo for illustrative purposes. - Photo by Bernama
This green wave known as Pas is expected to continue in the upcoming state elections for six states, which are Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, which are currently under Pas, as well as Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan under Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Recently, Bersatu accounts were frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigations on possible illegal revenues. It is believed that this may be a possible roadblock for the green wave to sustain or win big.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the investigation and said several accounts led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were frozen to aid investigations under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu acknowledged that the freeze would have an impact if the state elections were held soon due to a lack of funds.
"If we have no funds, it is not simple for us to proceed with the elections; it will put pressure on our efforts in the campaign.
"If necessary, we will meet every single individual in person to the best of our abilities," the former Perak Menteri Besar said to Sinar Harian.
Political observers and PN leaders saw the freeze as an attempt to tarnish the image of the opposition party to block the green wave prior to the state elections.
That action was seen as a two-edged sword used by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to cover up the government's failure to deal with the cost of living and price hike issues as promised in the GE15 manifesto.
The actions were said to have crippled PN's influence, particularly Pas and Bersatu, which were currently winning the hearts of Malay voters.
Research found over 54 per cent of their voters were individuals aged 18 to 45 who preferred to support PN candidates over BN and PH in GE15.
National Professors Council Senior Fellow Dr Jeniri Amir saw MACC’s actions as likely to cause the party and PN to face constraints as they could not carry out campaigns.
He explained the actions could cause Bersatu to have insufficient funding to pay their staff and cover Bersatu programme costs.
Without enough funds, PN would likely face hindrances in moving their machinery at the grass-roots level.
He said the state election campaign required a large sum, hence why it will be an obstacle to the rise of the green wave.
"However, I see that these actions will not stop PN candidates from winning the state assembly seats.
"This was evident as the people have rejected PH and BN and will continue to vote for PN," he said.
Jeniri explained that Malay voters were gravitating towards PN compared to PH and BN, and this support might remain in the upcoming state elections.
"The rise and fall of a coalition is not based on their funds.
"We saw it previously where BN had a large amount of funding but continued to lose in several states to PH while Pas retained their seats with a limited political fund," he said.
Jeniri said even though the people were disappointed in Anwar when he failed to solve the cost of living and price hike issues, it would not be a reason for PH to suffer a major loss.
Bersatu Armada chief Wan Ahmad Faysal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the freeze could cause two situations: the halting of the green wave or a rise in voter support for PN in the state elections.
Wan Ahmad Faysal.
Faysal stated that it was not impossible that the actions could cause a major rise in the green wave through sympathy votes for PN, especially for Bersatu and a sign of rejection towards PH and BN.
"What can the current unity government do to combat the green wave? With what they stated being lies to begin with, they must create new accusations to tarnish PN even though they formed a coalition without the voters' and the people’s approval," he said.
