PETALING JAYA: There can only be a major shift in Malay support from Perikatan Nasional (PN) to the unity government if Barisan Nasional lynchpin Umno undergoes major reforms, says a political analyst.
Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said Umno needs to make some “drastic changes” if it wants to show Malay voters that it was truly a clean party with integrity.
“Umno voters who supported PN in the 15th general election (GE15) will only return to Umno if the party is seen as clean and having integrity, unlike now.
“We will only see a shift in Malay votes from PN to the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional partnership at the core of the unity government, if there are major reforms in Umno, starting with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s resignation as party president,” he told FMT.
On Sunday, Kedah PH chief Mahfuz Omar said a 10% vote swing in the coming state polls would be enough to secure a PH-BN win in the state.
Mahfuz said he made the assessment based on the total number of votes cast for BN and PH in GE15.
But Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor scoffed at Mahfuz’s claim, saying such a vote swing would be difficult, especially when Malay voters wanted to continue backing PN.
On the other hand, Azizuddin Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said the strained relationship between Kedah and Putrajaya could give BN-PH an edge at the polls.
This is especially if the government parties can raise doubts on PN’s credibility and agenda, he said.
Previously, Kedah BN chief Mahdzir Khalid said BN and PH must show the people of Kedah how close ties between the federal and state governments would benefit them as opposed to them being governed by PN.
He said padi farmers, rubber tappers, oil palm smallholders and fishermen in Kedah will be able to boost their income through better cooperation with federal agricultural agencies. - FMT
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