ALOR STAR – Kedah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar has called on voters to not buy into the rumblings and predictions made online by various quarters, as some aim to trigger a psy-war to confuse voters and candidates alike.
Commenting on analysts’ predictions that he may lose the Pokok Sena parliamentary seat, which he held for the last two terms, Mahfuz smiled, saying it may just be psy-war, as sentiments on the ground may differ from what online and armchair observers have to say.
“I think in an unprecedented 15th general election like this, where we have four coalitions contesting, alongside a record number of independents and new parties, we revert to the basics of an election: the human touch of meeting people.
“From PH’s encounters in Kedah, there has been a certain warmth, although it remains to be seen if it can be translated into votes,” Mahfuz told The Vibes.
There are a total of 15 parliamentary seats in Kedah, with the island of Langkawi set to be the most watched as 97-year-old Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to defend the seat.
In Jerlun, Mahathir’s son and former Kedah menteri besar, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, is also defending his seat.
Observers, citing past results in the 2018 general election as reference, predicted that Perikatan Nasional (PN) through PAS may grab seven parliamentary seats, Barisan Nasional (BN) three and PH four, while Dr Mahathir’s Pejuang could secure the remaining one seat.
Dr Mahathir’s campaign is said to be sluggish and although some quarters are predicting that he may lose in Langkawi, Mahfuz cautioned that one can never underestimate the old fox that is Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir remains unperturbed by it, saying that he will continue to campaign today, with at least six events to canvas for votes in Langkawi.
Mahfuz said in a close fight between four coalitions, the use of psy-war is crucial to distort rivals in their brinkmanship of wooing voters, but PH has opted to focus on a campaign of transparency and fighting lies with truth.
PH is reportedly struggling, after removing its state Amanah chairman Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi for going against PH’s choice to accord the Jerai parliament seat to DAP.
“And with the emergence of more fake than genuine news accounts, the setting is ideal for waging a psy-war.
“PH is above it. We focus on the people, and if they want us, they will do whatever is necessary for us. If they reject us, it is the same,” said Mahfuz.
Mahfuz said Pokok Sena is a tough battle as Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has won praises for his “kampung” styled administration and at the same time, having a record number of foreign direct investments in the works.
However, Mahfuz also pointed out that Sanusi’s words and actions do not translate to what is happening on the ground, where youth continue to move out of Kedah in search of better jobs.
With the Sheraton Move that derailed the PH federal government, Mahfuz said that the initiative to launch the technical and vocational education training was suspended because the new government did not understand the importance of technical skills.
“Malay youth in rural areas, including those from religious schools, suffered.”
Umno strongman Datuk Suraya Yaacob, who is seeking the Pendang parliamentary seat, expressed her bewilderment as she is unable to read the voters’ response during her campaign.
Suraya says that her parliamentary seat is evenly split between PAS in Tokai and BN-Umno in Sg Tiang, the state constituency she holds.
It is learnt while the former state exco is a force in her constituency, she says voters’ silence concerns her. – The Vibes, November 18, 2022
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