SHAH ALAM – Selangor PKR cannot be complacent with the results of the 15th general election, which saw Pakatan Harapan (PH) return to power through a unity government, and must instead prepare for the coming state election, state PH chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said today.
The Selangor menteri besar said PKR must learn from the Johor election in March last year, in which Barisan Nasional (BN) won two-thirds of seats.
While PH and BN can combine their votes in the coming state election, this must not lead to complacency, he said.
“If we look at the people’s mood on the unity government and PH’s and BN’s numbers combined, it is more than likely we will win. However, the results cannot be taken lightly,” Amirudin told delegates at the Selangor PKR election convention today.
BN won 40 out of the 56 states in the Johor election, securing over two-thirds of the majority compared with PH’s 12 state seats.
In GE15 last November, PH won 15 out of 26 parliamentary seats, including one won by Muda.
Amirudin said PKR needed to be ready with “the right themes, mindset, and campaign methods” as learnt from GE15.
“As fast as news on our Twitter timelines change, and as fast as news spreads all over social media, it is the same for politics.
“We must not be too happy or satisfied with what we have achieved so far, but instead must start planning and being active, because there is not much time left before the state government will be dissolved,” he said.
Six states will hold elections this year as they did not dissolve their assemblies for GE15 last year.
The states are controlled by PH – Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Penang – and PAS – Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Even as PH and BN were rivals in the GE15 campaign, they are now allies in the federal unity government and will face Perikatan Nasional, which unexpectedly made major inroads in the recent general election.
Amirudin warned that PN is set on taking over Selangor, and PKR has to be alert and work harder when campaigning.
“Selangor is the richest state. It is close to KL, and we are a stepping stone to attack the federal government and claim Putrajaya.
“PN always brings up racial and religious issues with the intention of breaking up Malaysia’s unity.
“Selangor must protect unity and choose the unity government,” he said. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
