New allies PH, BN told to avoid Padang Serai clash

 

PH and BN having tied the knot at the federal level, they need to decide whose candidate steps aside in the Padang Serai polls.

PETALING JAYA: Since Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are partners in the new federal government, one of them should give up the contest for the Padang Serai seat, an analyst said.

Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said Perikatan Nasional, now firmly in the opposition, would gain from a split in votes if PH and BN clashed against each other.

Candidates from PH, BN, PN, and Pejuang and an independent are contesting the parliamentary election, which was deferred after PH candidate M. Karupaiya died just two days before the Nov 19 general election.

Fauzi reminded PN and PH that their defeats in the Melaka and Johor polls last year showed how those friendly at the federal level but went against each other at the state polls fared poorly.

“The Padang Serai contest is a test of the sincerity of the BN and PH unity government. Why bother telling the rakyat you’re fighting for a better government at the federal level but fight each other for a federal seat?

“Call a truce. As long they are in a unity government they must display their friendship and ensure it manifests. They should show they’ve not formed the government together for political expediency.

“If they insist on competing, then all eyes should be on the votes received by BN and PH. If their combined votes are more than PN’s, then it’s a wasted effort,” he told FMT.

University of Tasmania’s James Chin said it was likely BN might drop out to make way for PH as this was the first battle after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took office and the election could be portrayed as “Anwar vs PN”.

“While the entire PH machinery is expected to descend there, it is likely they would try to reduce the majority as much as possible if they are at the losing end.

“As for MIC contesting there (under BN), it is a one-MP party, it is going to lose the seat anyway. Why even bother,” he asked.

Azizuddin Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia said it appeared PN would win Padang Serai if Malay voters’ preference for the coalition, which includes PAS, remained unchanged.

“Perhaps the prime minister should visit Padang Serai and encourage people to vote for PH since they are in power at the federal level now. But it is likely PN will win,” he said.

Lawyer Sofee Razak of PH is defending the coalition’s hold on the seat against Sivaraj Chandran (BN), Azman Nasrudin (PN), Hamzah Abdul Rahman (Pejuang) and independent candidate K Sreanandha Rao. - FMT