State polls: Kedah voters' preferences still dicey, say analysts

SHAH ALAM - While there are views that the Kulim airport issue is not a factor for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to win in Kedah in the state election, it might be able to secure victory in the state by taking a bold move, according to analysts.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan said he was of the view that the airport issue would not be a factor for Perikatan Nasional (PN) voters in the state to turn their support to PH-BN.

He said issues that will bring benefit to the people of Kedah or any offers made by the federal government would not suave PN voters in the state into voting for PH-BN.

“In this case, the Kulim airport issue does not play any factor. Even though the government agreed to build it, votes won’t go to PH-BN,” he said.

He added that if the PH-BN coalition won one or two seats currently held by Pas and Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu), it could be considered as a victory, but it would not mean that it would have taken over Kedah.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) senior lecturer of Political Science Mujibu Abd Muis said PH-BN has a chance to win the state with the right strategy.

He said to win, PH-BN might have to field in good candidates or young and new ones to contest.

“They (PH-BN) need to ensure that most of them (candidates) are young ones or new faces, a good counter-narrative by emphasising the need of Kedah to have a similar government with the federal government due to huge benefits in terms of development and economic growth,” he said when contacted.

He added that the coalition must be brave enough to sacrifice its old guard and emulate what Pas and Bersatu did during the 15th General Election (GE15) by fielding many of the unfamiliar faces as candidates.

Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun said if the airport issue was to be a factor, it would be a decidedly minor one.

He said in general, the overriding deciding factor in this round of elections appeared to be religiosity or at least its expression and policy implementation, and Pas certainly was leading in this regard.

“Perhaps the very minute one, as Pas and its brand of religiosity appear to have captured the fascination of an increasing number of voters not only in Kedah but far beyond.

“We just have to brace ourselves for a forthcoming society brimming with religiosity,” he said.