KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) gamble to field two “political frogs” for the Melaka election in Asahan and Pantai Kundor ended badly, indicating the coalition should move cautiously in the future.
Political analyst Prof Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani told Getaran that it is obvious that voters rejected candidates who are seen as “betrayers”.
PH fielded former Umno man Datuk Seri Idris Haron in Asahan under PKR’s seat allocation, while Datuk Nor Azman Hassan defended Pantai Kundor seat under Amanah.
Although Idris had the chance to win, it is obvious that the people reject candidates who are traitors. This is a reminder to PH that party-hopping is not welcomed by Melaka’s people.”
Azizuddin said a majority of voters went for parties instead of the personalities that some of the candidates were.
“Despite Nor Azman having previously won the Pantai Kundor seat and Idris being a local, it appears that the personality pull was not there.
“Voters still supported parties instead of the candidates themselves. In addition, PH had hoped for outstation voters to return to vote, but that did not happen.”
In light of the loss, Azizuddin said PH has to change its strategy for the next general election (GE).
“It has to definitely change its strategy for GE15. Melaka has shown that the people are turned off by party-hoppers.”
On PKR’s Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, the youngest PH candidate who vied for the Sg Rambai seat, Azizuddin said her loss is due to rejection to her own party by the people of Melaka.
“I don’t think that experience was a factor that caused her defeat because there are also candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) such as Muhamad Akmal Salleh (Merlimau) who won. It is not an issue because she has her own personality.
“It is my opinion that a lot of voters rejected PH. To add to that, Sg Rambai is a big area with a notable number of BN supporters. It would be hard for her to win there,” he said.
According to the Election Commission’s count, Idris got 2,666 votes in Asahan, losing out to BN candidate Fairul Nizam Roslan who garnered 5,659 votes.
Nor Azman failed to defend Pantai Kundor with only 2,799 votes. It was won by BN’s Tuminah Kadi Mohd Hashim with 3,930 votes. – The Vibes, November 21, 2021
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