Survey indicates growing support for coalition govt in Kedah - Rafizi

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said his latest survey indicated growing Malay support in Kedah for the coalition government in the past three to four months.

Citing the survey, he said that 55 percent of respondents approved of the Kedah state government, with 45 percent reporting dissatisfaction.

“Compare this approval rating with other Harapan-led states, which is much higher, whereby Negeri Sembilan is 75 percent, and Selangor is 69 percent.

“When put in perspective, it does show that there is an indication that the vote swing Perikatan Nasional enjoyed in the last general elections is quite challenging to be repeated this time.

“This is because there seems to be a small move towards Pakatan Harapan and BN among the Malays,” he told reporters after last night's ‘Mega Harapan Ceramah’ in Kulim, Kedah.

However, Rafizi acknowledged that the campaign period may change the vote swing as voting patterns have become more complicated and sophisticated in recent years.

“In the past, there was a certain level of correlation between approval rating and election results.

“Despite the Kedah’s results in GE15, the contest here is a lot more competative than what the public may think,” he said.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin on June 26 said the PN wave, which began in the 15th general election, will continue in the six state elections.

During the 15th general elections, PN won all but one parliamentary seat in Kedah.

However, PN won only 56 percent of the popular vote in the state. In the event there is a 14 percent vote swing from PN, BN-Harapan may obtain a simple majority of 19 seats.

Meanwhile, Rafizi has warned the opposition not to play up racial issues as a smokescreen for their administrative weaknesses in Kedah.

He also urged voters to rationally weigh their options between candidates contesting before casting their ballots in the upcoming polls.

“In elections, we give the mandate to the rakyat. We campaign, and it is up to the rakyat (to vote) based on our ideas and abilities. If the rakyat believes we’re worth it or would like to allow others (parties), that is their right.

“However, don’t play with racial sentiments to conceal your administrative weaknesses and your crazy ideas.

“... I am confident that if Kedah’s people can see results based on ideas, they know what is best for them,” he said during last night’s event.

Rafizi, the Economy Minister, added that the elections should not be about the battle between PN and the unity government but about who can offer the best for the people of Kedah.

“(The elections) aren’t a question of who is greater or stronger, but rather who is more capable of bringing benefit to your family, relatives and children,” he said. - Mkini