State polls to decide PH-BN, Pas-Bersatu's survival
MOHD FAIZUL HAIKA MAT KHAZI
SHAH ALAM - The state polls on Aug 12, will become a deciding factor towards the survival of the good political coalitions involving Pakatan Harapan (PH)-BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) strengthened by Pas and Bersatu.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said if PN fails in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah or BN-PH coalitions manage to gain a majority of the state seats, the cooperation between Pas-Bersatu and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) could shake.
Mazlan said if the support towards PN declined in the three states they controlled, it was not impossible for those desperate among Pas leaders themselves to join the unity government under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim leadership for the party's political survival.
On the other hand, If PN garnered a major victory in Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu and if they won more than 20 state seats in Selangor, obtaining over 10 seats in Negri Sembilan and Penang, Mazlan said it would provide a major impact towards the future and the PH-BN cooperation.
"If the pro-unity government party suffered major loses in Kelantan Terengganu and Kedah and a decline in votes in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang, it will give an indication and image that the people do not give their blessing towards the BN-PH coalition," he told Sinar Premium.
Mazlan explained that if BN-Umno won big and obtained more seats in the state polls, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be considered a hero and a saviour of the party for making the correct decision to ally with their traditional enemy including DAP, in the formation of a government on November last year.
"If PN loses in the elections, it is possible there would be a push for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to step down as Bersatu and Pas president to give chances for another individual to lead the party," he said.
Mazlan described the election in six states would not only be important for BN-PH and PN, but a 'life or death' decision of both coalitions in the future.
He said the elections would become the most heated election in history from campaigns and strategies to attract voters whether they supported the BN-PH coalition or PN.
