Big names mark PH’s strategic shift in make-or-break polls

 Analysts say its heavyweight lineup reflects lessons from Johor and underscores growing concerns of a tougher fight against a BN-PN alliance.

Among PH’s 36 candidates in the Negeri Sembilan polls are (from left) menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, and executive councillors S Veerapan, Teo Kok Seong and Noorzunita Begum.

PETALING JAYA:

Pakatan Harapan’s move to field senior leaders and familiar faces in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan polls reflects a cautious strategy after its poor showing in Johor, analysts say.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said PH has assembled its strongest possible lineup of candidates, with the coalition prioritising stability by relying on experienced candidates.

Mazlan said PH views the Aug 1 polls as critical to its political future, especially with the emergence of a new electoral alignment between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

“This is a matter of life and death for PH. It now faces a new political alignment between BN and PN, which poses a major threat to PH’s survival as the two-term incumbent Negeri Sembilan government.

“The outcome of this election will also determine the alignment and direction of Malaysian politics heading into the 16th general election,” he said.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PH appears to have drawn lessons from the July 11 Johor polls, where it dropped big names like DAP strategic director Liew Chin Tong and several multi-term assemblymen.

In Negeri Sembilan, the ruling coalition will rely on experienced candidates instead of new faces, he told FMT.

“I think DAP, and PH as a whole, learned that using new and untested candidates was disastrous in Johor,” he said, citing DAP’s loss of the Perling seat to MIC after omitting Liew from its lineup.

“Perling was considered a stronghold and a safe seat for DAP, yet it lost to MIC by more than 1,000 votes. I think they learned from that mistake by fielding incumbents, well-known figures and political veterans (in Negeri Sembilan).

“DAP, in particular, is only introducing three new faces in the Negeri Sembilan polls,” he added.

Among PH’s 36 candidates are bigwigs like DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, , seeking a sixth term as an assemblyman, as well as PKR vice-president and menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, contesting for a fifth term.

PH is also fielding former Kapar MP G Manivannan and retaining state executive councillors like S Veerapan, Teo Kok Seong and Noorzunita Begum, along with several other multi-term former assemblymen.

The coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to be the only one contesting all 36 seats on its own.

BN will vie for 25 seats as part of an electoral pact with PAS-led PN, which will field 11 candidates.

Aminuddin’s switch to Linggi: suicidal or calculated risk?

Mazlan and Azmi were divided over Aminuddin’s decision to contest the Umno stronghold of Linggi instead of seeking a fifth term in Sikamat, which he has represented since 2008.

Mazlan described the state PH chairman’s move as a calculated attempt to expand the coalition’s reach while safeguarding its existing support.

“Aminuddin is a two-term menteri besar with a strong performance record. Sikamat is considered a safe seat for PH, and his move to Linggi is a strategy to improve the coalition’s chances of winning the constituency.

“Although Linggi is an Umno seat, Aminuddin’s reputation is expected to boost PH’s chances of winning Linggi while retaining Sikamat,” he said, pointing out that Linggi falls under the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency.

Aminuddin has been Port Dickson MP since 2022. PH has held the seat since 2008, when it was named Telok Kemang.

“The people of Linggi know their MP, and that will make it easier for Aminuddin to campaign among voters within his parliamentary constituency.”

Azmi, on the other hand, believes it is highly risky for Aminuddin, given the constituency has been in Umno’s hands since 1959, except for when DAP held it from 1971 to 1974.

“To depend on Aminuddin’s parliamentary support in Port Dickson, which Linggi is a part of, is very, very dangerous,” he said. “I think it is a suicidal move.”

Nonetheless, Azmi said the gamble reflects PH’s confidence going into the Aug 1 polls.

“The message PH is trying to send is that it is confident of forming the state government and that Aminuddin will be the menteri besar. He is undoubtedly the coalition’s poster boy, but it is a very dangerous move.” - FMT