Kedah 'hottest' state in polls

The country's political atmosphere is warming up at the moment as the date of the state elections in six states approaches on Aug 12.

In the polls, the most lively state and often the centre of attention is certainly Kedah which is competing for 36 seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

Kedah is governed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) under the leadership of caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor from Pas.

Last week, the country was shocked by the arrest of Sanusi at a hotel at three in the morning.

He was later charged in the Selayang Sessions Court with two counts of uttering seditious remarks.

The court set Oct 4 for re-mention of the case after the PN election director pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, this does not discourage Sanusi who still has a chance to become a candidate and continue his duties as Menteri Besar if PN manages to maintain its position in Kedah.

Sanusi has announce that he would put two former Kedah football captains as the state election candidates this time.

According to rumours, Baddrol Baktiar is expected to contest in the Bukit Selambau state assembly while Radhi Mat Din will compete in the Alor Mengkudu state assembly.

It is likely to be one of the strategies to attract the support of youths for PN in Kedah.

Based on past records, it is not easy for football stars to win the hearts of voters even though they are well known and have a strong influence among local supporters.

Radhi however, is not new to the world of politics as he was a Pas candidate for the Pokok Sena parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018, although he lost to Amanah's Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

On Aug 12, Radhi is said to be competing against Mahfuz who has already been announced to contest in the Alor Mengkudu state assembly.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional (BN) also has its own strategy by putting Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as a candidate in the Pedu state assembly.

This strengthens the rumors that the former Kedah Menteri Besar may be reappointed to the same position if the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-BN coalition succeeds in seizing Kedah.

The former Education Minister and Rural Development MInister is leading BN candidates to contest in 15 of the 36 seats in the Kedah state assembly.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is fielding 10 candidates, nine from Amanah and the remaining candidates are from DAP.

However, the list of candidates who are officially running will only be known on the nomination day on July 29.

Currently, the unity government is seen as 'aggressive' in its efforts to capture Kedah with various initiatives that will be and is being implemented.

The presence of the senior leaders of the PH-BN coalition for the state of 'Jelapang Padi' is also seen as one of the ways to approach its people.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also attended several events there even though his schedule is always packed.

This approach aims to recapture Kedah using the slogan 'kalih bagi sama'.

The PH-BN cooperation in the state election this time is the first time they have competed as political partners after the formation of the unity government at the central level.

The extent to which the two are 'compatible' will be answered in the state elections results later.

On the other hand, the green wave that was seen in most of the locations of the organised tour or convoy definitely shows a clear 'signal' that it will not be easy for PH-BN to capture the hearts of the people of Kedah.

However, the question of who will lead the state will only be unraveled on the night of Aug 12, 2023.

Every individual has the right to choose any political struggle, freely support and contribute in various forms as long as it does not conflict with religion and the principles of the Rukun Negara.

It is also hoped that every political party competing in the state elections this time can compete healthily without touching on the 3R issues (race, religion and royal institution).

Any effort to appeal to voters using the 3R issue can cause disunity in the country.

* Siti Zubaidah Zakaraya is a reporter for Sinar Harian in Kedah