Undecided voters could play key role in Selangor polls

A study by research firm Endeavor-MGC has found that Selangor will be the fiercest battleground in the upcoming state polls.

The study, which was conducted from June 12 to 18, found that 42 per cent of 1,068 Malay respondents who had registered as voters in the state expressed support for Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Perikatan Nasional (PN) came in second with 33 per cent, while Barisan Nasional (BN) received 15 per cent support.

However, the study also found that if PH and BN were to come together in the six-state election, the number of Malay voters supporting them would increase to 57 per cent.

Muda received only 1 per cent support, while 9 per cent of respondents said they did not know which party to vote for.

This group is expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.

The study also found that 75 per cent of respondents were confident in Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's administration if PH wins the polls.

In terms of who is most suitable to be the next Menteri Besar, 46 per cent of respondents said that Amirudin should be retained in the post, while 24 per cent chose former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Others who were mentioned as potential MBs include Umno supreme council member Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (10 per cent), former Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (6 per cent), and deputy PKR president Rafizi Ramli (6 per cent).

The Selangor Malay Public Opinion Survey involved 534 male and female Malay respondents in 56 constituencies of the state legislative assembly. The sample pool included 45 per cent of B40 group who earn RM4,850 and below, 40 per cent M40 (income RM4,850 to RM10,959) and 15 per cent T20 (income RM10,959 and above).

Notably, majority of the respondents in the survey also chose to vote according to party.

A total of 61 per cent chose to vote according to party, 28 per cent according to candidate, and 7 per cent according to religion.

The study's findings suggest that Selangor will be a closely contested state in the upcoming polls.

The outcome of the election is likely to depend on how the different parties are able to mobilize their supporters and appeal to the undecided voters.