Name your alternative to Sanusi, analyst tells PH-BN

 

An analyst said the closer collaboration between PH and BN at the federal level would give them a better chance at taking over Kedah from PN.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional should take advantage of the feelings against Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor and name their candidate for the post if they want to wrest the state from Perikatan Nasional, says an analyst.

Azizuddin Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia said Kedahans could be deterred by the poor relationship between Sanusi’s government and the powers in Putrajaya.

He said some in PN viewed Sanusi as a liability and wanted him to be replaced.

“The current Kedah menteri besar’s behaviour towards the federal government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been appalling. Kedahans in general will suffer from this bad relationship, Azizuddin told FMT.

“So, PH-BN should use this momentum to rebrand and persuade Kedahans that they are the better alternative. This can be done by announcing their menteri besar candidate earlier and, if possible, under one logo,” he said.

Azizuddin said the close collaboration between PH and BN at the federal level would give them a better chance at taking over Kedah from PN.

He said many in Kedah were impressed with the unity government’s handling of its affairs so far, which would strengthen the two major coalitions at the polls.

On Tuesday, Kedah Umno chief Mahdzir Khalid said the parties in the federal coalition would place greater priority on Kedah compared to the other states during the campaigns for the elections in six states due in a few months.

He said a state committee had been formed to help ensure close cooperation between BN and PH in Kedah.

However, political analyst Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it would be a tall order for PH and BN to wrest the state away from PN.

He said PN swept 14 of the 15 seats in Kedah at the parliamentary general election last November, and that this trend was likely to continue. “The only way for PH-BN to make headway is by a complete overhaul of Umno which will not happen any time soon,” he said.

At best, PH and BN could focus on seats that comprise more than 30% non-Malays, where the coalition can be competitive, he said. While PKR and Amanah stood a chance with the Malay electorate in urban seats, this was not the case in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. - FMT