Study: Expect hung assembly in Kedah

GE14 | A study conducted by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) researcher has predicted that Kedah will be faced with a hung assembly following the May 9 polls.

According to Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, who headed the research team, BN was predicted to win 16 out of 36 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan (12) and PAS (8).

To form a government, a party or coalition would need 19 seats in the Kedah legislative assembly.

Azizuddin said BN's efforts to retain Kedah was hamstrung by disquiet over the economy and poor local leadership.

Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad's influence was also working against BN.

Mahathir was born in Alor Setar and prime minister for 22 years.

"(Kedah BN head) Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah cannot be considered a strong leader.

"In Kedah, they don't need someone educated or brilliant. They just want a local leader that can protect them. Someone close to the people on the ground. That is enough," said Azizuddin.

He shared his predictions at the Ikmas-Merdeka Center seminar series on the 14th general election at Nottingham University, Kuala Lumpur today.

He, however, cautioned that the electoral sentiments are very dynamic and things could change with the campaign.

"There are so many marginal seats (in Kedah), so it can go either way," he said.

As for PAS, Azizuddun said his findings found that the party will potentially be kingmakers for the Kedah legislative assembly.

"And I think you know where they will swing," he said.

Meanwhile, the researcher also predicted that BN would retain seven parliamentary seats in Kedah while eight would go to Harapan and none for PAS. - Mkini