'BN's win in Pelangai was expected', say analysts 

SHAH ALAM - Barisan Nasional (BN) retaining the Pelangai state assembly seat was very much expected, say political analysts.

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Political Science Association Professor Dr Syaza Shukri said BN won comfortably, even though it was projected that only a slim majority would be possible.

"It was very much expected for BN to retain the seat. We expected a slimmer majority, but they won relatively comfortably," she told Sinar Daily.

Syaza said the party now must focus on uplifting the living standards of the people when asked what BN should do to retain its success until the next election.

"BN must be serious about improving living standards, especially in terms of infrastructure and facilities," she said.

On Perikatan Nasional's (PN) defeat in capturing the Pelangai seat, Syaza said the PN wave failed to invade Pahang.

However, PN was able to increase their vote from the last general election (GE).

"PN’s green wave appears to have failed to take over Pahang.

"But they’re able to increase their vote from the last GE, so it seems they do have increased support," she said.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity Government were also working hard to meet the people's demands.

"I think people are slowly seeing that Anwar’s unity government is working to meet the people’s demands and that the PH-BN relationship is working as well," she said.

Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said PH successfully transferred their non-Malay votes to BN.

"Well, by tradition, PH can hardly make any inroads into these rural constituencies, so I can't imagine how PH could be of any help in the campaigning.

"PH perhaps did successfully transfer their non-Malay votes to BN," he said.

However, Oh said detailed numbers on the votes from the Election Commission (EC) to confirm that.

"So in that sense, PH played a role in contributing to BN's win," he said.

In the Pelangai by-election held yesterday, BN's Datuk Amizar Abu Adam successfully retained victory in a three-way electoral bout with a majority of 2,949 votes.

Amizar secured 7,324 votes against Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Kasim Samat, who garnered 4,375 votes, and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni, who only earned a meagre amount of 47 votes.

The result was announced by Election Commission (EC) Pelangai polls director Datuk Mohd Shahid Ismail at the Felda Kemasul public hall, where the final tally of ballots was conducted.