How Kedah is lost

The title of this article could be in the present tense, or in the future tense, or even past tense.

Take for example, the way Barisan Nasional anticipates puts it in the past tense, feeling that recapturing the state is almost a sure thing.

As for Pakatan, it is more of a future possibility which is yet certain. However, if Pakatan were to lose any of the states it currently holds, Kedah shall be the first and foremost.

Even within PAS, it tilts towards the present tense. Although the party is not so pessimistic as to anticipate a sure defeat, it admits that it has begun to fall out of public favour and is in danger of losing its grip on the state administration.

So, many would ask, since Pakatan and PAS were aware that things might not work their way in Kedah, why did they dig their own graves by triggering incidents that might enrage the public, such as the restrictions it imposed on CNY performance?

Was the state government not aware that what they did could offend the Chinese voters in the state, or even nationwide?

Not many people can read the mentality of the PAS state government.

I'm offering three possible reasons:

1. Islamic value is very much in the core thinking of this party so much so that it will enforce religious policies the moment the power falls into their hands.

Islamisation could be carried out progressively or rapidly but must never be shelved.

2. There are both conservatives and pragmatists among the state leaders of PAS. Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak is neither a very conservative chap nor a pragmatic one. Standing right in the middle, he could lean onto one side or the other.

He is facing pressure from within his party and the grassroots wanting him to push ahead the Islamic policies, which he finds an obligation to see to that. Nevertheless, he is also facing pressure from his Pakatan allies and non-Muslims who want him to withhold the policies.

Stuck between the two ends, Azizan is trying to hold things up a little, from the demolition of pig slaughterhouses, entertainment ban during Ramadan, to restrictions on female performers in CNY celebration, taking things one step at a time.

3. Non-Malays only make up about 25% of the state population (Chinese about 15%) and are therefore not expected to shake the state administration in a big way. PAS is aware that a series of religious policies it has implemented in the state have indeed lost the support of Chinese residents, aggravated by a stagnant economy and housing quota among others.

And since the initial damage has been done, the party sees no harm letting the ball roll on.

The question is, non-Malays are not the only ones unhappy with PAS, the Malay society is beginning to feel frustrated with the state administration's performance.

After PAS helmed the state administration, economic activities have taken a beating. Major towns like Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, Kulim and even Langakwi have faded in prosperity.

The state government lacks financial expertise capable of sound planning to lure investors. Its 50% bumi housing quota has dampened the real estate market and sent housing developers away, jeopardising other related industries along the way.

This has infuriated some of the Malay businessmen and middle class.

Lacklustre economic development also means shrinking tax revenue and withdrawn welfare policies, disappointing Malays from the middle to lower income groups.

It appears that Azizan has failed to win over more Malays by means of Islamisation policies, which have provoked the entire Chinese community in this country and have to be stalled abruptly following orders from the party central leadership.

PAS only has itself to blame if it eventually loses the state.

-Sin Chew Daily