Analysts: PN needs more than 'Noh Omar' factor to capture S'gor in state polls

 

Perikatan Nasional needs more than the "Noh Omar" factor to capture Selangor in the upcoming state election, a political analyst has said.

According to Azmi Hassan from Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, this is because Umno's presence in Selangor is much weaker than it was in Perlis, where PN relied on the influence of former Arau MP Shahidan Kassim of Umno to sway the votes to its favour in the 15th general election (GE15).

Azmi was asked whether PN would use the same approach by using senior Umno/BN leaders who were not fielded in GE15, in Selangor and other states, in the upcoming state election.

"It is not worth fielding (former) Umno leaders (to campaign for PN) as Umno's presence in Selangor is negligible.

"Maybe if they (PN) used former Pakatan Harapan or PKR leaders, it would be more logical," he told Malaysiakini in response to the recent remark by PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin that the coalition is confident of capturing Selangor, which has been under Harapan’s control since 2008.

This is possible due to the forging of new alliances, Hamzah said. He also predicted a 50-50 contest for Harapan-controlled Negeri Sembilan.

'Function as a constructive opposition first'

Azmi was asked whether Hamzah's speculation could include having the likes of former Selangor Umno chief Noh (above) campaign for PN.

"We cannot say the same for Selangor, as what we witnessed in Perlis (with Shahidan), as Perlis had a 'bigger wave' going on. The 'wave' is non-existent in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

"To me, PN has to 'do more' in the next few months if it aims to capture the two states; that is to prove that it is a more viable option to administer the country," said Azmi.

"To do that, they have to function as a more constructive opposition, which levels logical criticisms against the government."

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya political analyst Awang Azman Pawi did not rule out that PN might resort to using influential individuals like Noh to capture Selangor.

Aside from Noh, the coalition might also get former Gombak MP cum former Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali to play a crucial role in his quest, he noted.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer in political science Jamaie Hamil concurred, pinpointing Noh as the most likely candidate to work with PN.

However, the former Tanjung Karang MP's influence only extends to several rural areas in the state, he noted.

"They can use Noh's influence, but it can only work in Tanjung Karang, Kuala Selangor, and Sabah Bernam, perhaps.

"Elsewhere, he does not hold any sway although he was the former state Umno chief,” said Jamaie. - Mkini