Putra’s entry into Melaka elections will split Malay vote: analyst

KUALA LUMPUR – The Melaka election on November 20 is expected to be a tough fight for many state assembly seats due to the three-cornered fights involving Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran reported that the prediction came about after the three coalitions decided to contest in all 28 seats, as well as the failure of BN and PN to come to a mutual understanding and cooperation.

In fact, five of the constituencies will be facing four-cornered fights after the party led by Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), showed interest in the polls.

UiTM political analyst Jazimin Zakaria said anything more than a three-cornered fight will only serve to split the Malay vote.

At the same time, he also described the state election as a death match and predictions have been thrown out the window in light of Putra’s participation in the November 20 polls.

Putra’s involvement will definitely divide the votes for the parties contesting, especially Malay votes, because the Melaka election occurred due to the conflict between PAS, Umno and Bersatu.

“When this newborn party stated its decision to contest in the election, it will become a tough and complicated battle, seeing how all four parties are at each other’s throats,” he reportedly told Getaran today.

Putra expects that its candidates will be viable among Malay voters and can attract their support.

The five contenders are state chief liaison officer Mohd Aluwi Sari, 55, who will contest in Pengkalan Batu, Laila Norinda Maun, 44, in Gadek, Mohd Faizal Hamzah, 44, in Duyong, Nazatul Asyraf Md Dom, 38, in Sg Rambai, and Muhammad Hashidi Mohd Zin, 32, in Paya Rumput.

Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali had said in a Facebook video that Putra candidates were selected based on a few criteria including education level, age, and commitment to carry on Putra’s struggle as an alternative party, especially for the Malays, Bumiputeras, and other ethnic groups in general.

He said the important thing is that the candidates have clean records, even though they are all greenhorns who have never contested in an election.

Putra viable option for voters despite slim chances of snatching victory

However, Jazimin stressed that Putra’s chances at winning seats are slim, seeing that the party has no experience in administration or governance.

“This party is still too young and has not matured. So, there’s a lack of confidence in its abilities and capabilities to wade into the political fray and govern,” he reportedly said.

At the same time, he added that this could also be an excellent option for Melaka pollsters who are fed up with the political games played by PH, BN and PN.

“Even though PKR, DAP and Umno has a platform for the youth to contest in the Melaka elections, which gives them the opportunity to govern, not all voters want the three parties, and Putra’s entry gives them a new option.

The party is still fresh and, from a different angle, is also giving the youth a chance to take part in politics. This will give the voters a better option – especially the fence-sitters.”

The Melaka election will see a four-cornered fight in five seats – Pengkalan Batu, Paya Rumput, Sg Rambai, Gadek and Duyong.

Pengkalan Batu will witness a battle between Putra’s Aluwi, DAP’s Muhamad Danish Zainudin, Bersatu’s Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, and BN’s Datuk Kalsom Nordin.

Meanwhile, Paya Rumput will see Mohamad Hashidi Mohd Zain (Putra), Datuk Rais Yasin (BN), Muhammad Faris Izwan Mazlan (Bersatu) and Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (PKR) duking it out.

For Sg Rambai, Putra is fielding Nazatul Asyraf Md Dom, PKR is sending Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, Bersatu is deploying Muhammad Jefri Safry and BN is sending Siti Faizah Abdul Azis.

Gadek will see the battle between Putra’s Laila Norinda Maon, BN’s Shanmugam V. Pitchay, Bersatu’s Mohd Amir Fitri Muharam, and DAP’s G. Saminathan.

Finally, in Duyong, Mohd Faizal Amzah (Putra) will be facing off against Damian Yeo (DAP), Datuk Kamarudin Sedik (PAS), and Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem from BN. – The Vibes, November 7, 2021