Analysts scoff at BN ‘scare tactic’ against Terengganu

 

Terengganu has a stronger economic base than Kelantan and is much more well off, says an academic. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Analysts have dismissed as an “ineffective scare tactic” a claim by a Terengganu Barisan Nasional (BN) leader that the state would lag in terms of development like Kelantan if voters continue to back PAS.

“For one, Terengganu has a stronger economic base than Kelantan and is, therefore, much more well off,” Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia told FMT.

Government statistics show that Terengganu recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.9% (RM32,199 per capita) in 2022 compared to 3.7% in 2021. Kelantan’s GDP growth stood at 4.5% (RM16,567 per capita) for 2022, and 2.4% in 2021.

Azmil said voters would only back other parties if the PAS-led state government ran Terengganu’s economy to the ground and if Umno underwent major reforms to regain support.

He also said that compared to Kelantan, many PAS leaders in Terengganu are from professional and technocratic backgrounds, and thus are technically more capable of running the state government.

He was commenting on a claim by Terengganu BN chairman Ahmad Said, who said Terengganu will lag in terms of development like Kelantan if voters continue to vote for PAS in the upcoming state election.

Ahmad said the people of Kelantan do not care for the lack of development in the state because many of them leave for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to find jobs.

However, in Terengganu, residents seldom migrate and “end up victims of under-development”.

He urged voters in the state to back BN in the coming election to ensure continuous development in Terengganu.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN must go beyond “scare tactics” to capture Terengganu. He said they should take the “offensive” approach to penetrate PAS strongholds.

“For instance, BN or PH have yet to be able to penetrate religious institutions in the (PAS-led) states such as mosques and suraus,” he said, adding that these are venues where the Islamic party spread its narratives.

He also said PH-BN have not leveraged influencers on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok as well as young religious teachers (asatizah) to challenge their rival’s narratives.

Awang Azman said PH-BN must explain to Terengganu voters why they need unity coalition members in their state government as well as their plans to develop the state if they win the election.

He said PH and BN must start thinking in an “en bloc” manner rather than getting entangled in the specifics of party-seat allocations.

In the 14th general election (GE14), PAS managed to wrestle Terengganu back from BN after winning 22 seats, while BN only secured 10 seats. PAS previously ruled the state for one term, between 1999 and 2004. - FMT