PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional may have no choice but to field candidates aligned to Azmin Ali despite their poor performance at the 15th general election (GE15) in November last year, said an analyst.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said not selecting certain candidates may backfire on the coalition.
“The party may be trying to avoid a rebellion from Azmin’s camp.
“That’s why PN is depending on Azmin, Dr Afif Bahardin and Rina Harun (among others) to lead them to victory, even though people within PN would consider them as unsuitable candidates,” he told FMT.
Awang Azman said these candidates may be in a better position to run for election due to their experience and financial resources, as compared to someone less established.
On Aug 1, then Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman questioned why the party nominated those who were defeated in GE15 as candidates for the state polls.
Among those whom Faiz described as “undeserving” were Azmin (who is standing in Hulu Kelang), Rina (Batu Tiga), Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Bukit Antarabangsa) and Afif (Taman Medan).
The foursome had lost their respective bids for the Gombak, Sepang, Ampang and Shah Alam seats in GE15.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Malay support is crucial for PN if it wants to wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan.
“The right choice of candidate is very important here because Malay voters are easily influenced by sensitive issues. So it will play a part, especially when Malay voters are the majority in a constituency.”
He said, traditionally, northern Selangor’s Malay voters have not supported PN, so the wrong choice of candidate could end its chances of winning the state from PH.
“This is where the Malay voters are. They are the majority. So a slight dissatisfaction on the selection of the candidate, especially candidates considered as not ‘original’ Bersatu members may create a problem,” said Azmi. - FMT
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