Anticipation builds as six states head to the polls

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — Malaysia is again at a critical juncture today, as voters from six states are gearing up to cast their ballots in elections that could have far-reaching repercussions for the country.

Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Selangor, and Terengganu are all holding elections today as they did not dissolve their state assemblies along with Parliament for the 15th general election last year.

The fledgling partnership of Pakatan Harapan and Nasional will be defending Negeri Sembilan, Penang, and Selangor while trying to steal Kedah from Perikatan Nasional, whereas the latter is set to easily retain Kelantan and Terengganu while possibly making inroads into Selangor and Penang.

Selangor PH chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari speaks during Grand Finale Kita Selangor election campaign ahead of the upcoming Selangor state election in AU2 Taman Keramat August 10, 2023. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Selangor

Selangor’s outcome could serve as a litmus test for the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Seen as a PH stronghold, ground loss to PN here would embolden the latter for the next general election and further increase the political temperature in the country that has seen a worrying rise in communal politics.

PN chairman and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently said 30 per cent of Malay voters did not vote in GE15 and that his coalition could win Selangor if 90 per cent of Malay voters in the state turned up to vote today.

He said PH was vulnerable to protest votes that were expected to pose a problem to rivals-turned-allies PH and BN. Analysts have said that seats with a Malay voter population over 55 per cent could be weak points for the unity pact.

These were Sungai Air Tawar, Sabak, Hulu Bernam, Sungai Burong, Permatang, Kota Damansara, Sungai Kandir and Batu Tiga, Semenyih and Sungai Ramal.

Perikatan Nasional Selangor chairman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali delivers his speech during the coalition’s Grand Finale Selangor Bangkit Gemilang election campaign ahead of the upcoming Selangor state election in Taman Melawati, August 11, 2023. — Picture Shafwan Zaidon

In 2018, PH won 51 out of 56 seats to form the Selangor state government. Currently, PN’s charge in Selangor is being led by former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is contesting in Hulu Klang.

Azmin has been touted as a PN’s candidate to be Selangor menteri besar. He will face Juwairiya Zulkifli from PH, a political aide of current Selangor caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Amirudin is defending his Sungai Tua seat in a three-cornered fight against Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin from PN and independent Suman Gopal.

Former women, family and community development minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun is contesting the Batu Tiga seat for Bersatu. Part of the Sheraton Move in 2020, she is going against Selangor PH Youth chief Danial Al-Rashid Haron and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (Muda) Saiyidah Izzati Nur Razak Maideen or known as Cheda Razak.

Negeri Sembilan

PH won 20 seats at the Negeri Sembilan state election in 2018 while BN secured 16 seats. BN’s Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan or Tok Mat and caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun are seen as strong figures and vital for the coalition’s victory.

In GE15, BN won five of the eight parliamentary seats in Negeri Sembilan while PH clinched the remaining three, leaving PN with no foothold in the state.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is also BN candidate for N.27 Rantau in Seremban, August 10, 2023. — Bernama pic

Tok Mat will contest the Rantau state seat against Rozmal Malakan from PAS while DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is defending the Chennah seat against Rosmadi Arif from Bersatu.

Amanah has had to make way for BN at Lenggeng where Mohd Asna Amin goes up against Mohammad Fadhli Che Me and independent candidate Zul Aki Mat Sulop. Asna was quoted saying he expects no protest from Amanah members.

Penang

Penang’s turnout could be affected by non-resident voters working abroad or in other parts of the country who might not return to vote.

Before the dissolution, PH controlled 37 seats in the assembly while BN had two and PAS, one.

Despite the apparent dominance, PH is entering the election with infighting in DAP that is the coalition’s anchor in the state.

Unhappiness over candidate selections led to some party members going independent, such as former Seberang Prai councillor David Marshel who will contest against his party in Perai.

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow giving his speech at Taman Lip Sin in Penang, August 9, 2023. — Picture by KE Ooi

Former Penang deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy also quit DAP, alleging that he was dropped as part of a political purge to sideline those perceived to be supporting the state party chief and caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Chow will defend his Padang Kota seat against H’ng Khoon Leng from PN while DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng is standing for re-election in the Air Putih seat. He goes up against Kong Cheng Ann from PN and Teh Yee Cheu from Parti Rakyat Malaysia.

Despite the squabbling, analysts have predicted a comfortable win for PH-BN if they focus on marginal seats like Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pasir and Penanti all under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

Kedah

In Kedah, the spotlight is on caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who continues his campaigning amidst legal troubles.

Kedah holds particular significance as the government coalition is aiming to flip the state that was lost as part of the Sheraton Move.

Among the hot seats are Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar’s contest for the Alor Mengkudu seat. He is up against ex-Kedah footballer and coach Muhammad Radhi Mat Din.

In Kedah, the spotlight is on caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who continues his campaigning amidst legal troubles. — Bernama pic

Kedah’s former captain and national player Baddrol Bakhtiar will also be representing PN in the Gurun seat. This is Baddrol’s first foray into politics and he will be up against Firdaus Johari from PH.

Former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid from Umno is contesting the Pedu seat against PAS’ Mohd Radzi Md Amin.

Terengganu

Terengganu had been considered a stronghold for BN until 2018 when PAS emerged triumphant, winning 22 out of 32 seats and forming the government.

Since then, PAS has steadily increased its hold on Terengganu, indicating its continued strength heading into today’s election.

Former Terengganu MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman from Umno is contesting the Seberang Takir seat against Khazan Che Mat from Bersatu.

Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said will contest the Kijal seat against Razali Idris of PN while caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is defending the Ru Rendang seat against Suhaimi Sulaiman from Amanah.

Police are seen controlling the situation around the town of Chukai, Kemaman which is still lively with supporters of their respective parties who have gathered to campaign in the last moments, August 11, 2023. — Bernama pic

Kelantan

Despite dropping Bachok MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and not nominating former Umno warlord Tan Sri Annuar Musa, PAS is expected to sweep the Kelantan polls.

PAS won 37 of the 45 seats in Kelantan in last election, and the state has long been under the rule of PAS, with a historical governance record from 1959 to 1977 and from 1990 to the present.

PAS is expected to dominate in state election here, as seen during the political upheaval and change of federal government in 2018 when the Islamist party retained control of the state.