The Malaysian Insight

WAITING to name a chief minister candidate after polling concludes at the Malacca elections may cause voters to lose confidence in Perikatan Nasional (PN), political analysts said.

By not naming a candidate with 10 days of campaigning left, they said may lead voters to suspect that there are disagreements within the coalition on who should be chosen as the CM.

Others, however, said voters are more concerned about the candidates fielded in their constituencies rather than who assumes the role of CM.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Mazlan Ali said by not naming a chief minister candidate, PN is not instilling confidence in the voters.

“Naming a CM candidate is a factor that can infuse the confidence of voters,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“In a general election and in state elections, the coalitions will always announce who their choice for CM or prime minister is. 

“This way, voters can evaluate who they are and they become more confident in voting for them.”

Mazlan said waiting to name a candidate after the elections conclude may also lead to a power struggle with the components of a coalition.

“If it is announced earlier, everyone can just focus on the campaign. Now it is a big question, whether there will be a power struggle after polling is done.”

He added that if PN chooses to go with Bersatu’s Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who is contesting in Tg Bidara, it may create history, as the country has never had a woman as its chief minister.

PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin also said that Mas Ermieyati has the potential to become a leader.

“Malacca has not had a woman CM. Choosing her as a CM candidate can attract women voters.”

Yesterday, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan said that PN will name its CM candidate after the polls concluded, adding that discussions had taken place among its leaders.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) named former Malacca chief minister Adly Zahari as its choice for chief minister should it win the state elections.

Barisan Nasional (BN), meanwhile, has named former chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali as its CM candidate.

PN, PH and BN are contesting in all 28 seats while Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman) will stand in one seat and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), led by Ibrahim Ali, in five seats.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said while there is merit in naming a CM candidate during campaigning, it is not without problems.

“Naming one would trigger strong reactions from the other parties to channel their campaign to defeat such a candidate. 

“(But) by hesitating, it also signals that a party or coalition could not agree on its candidate, and may hurt its chances to win the elections,” he said.

CM candidate not main factor in swimming votes

lham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said the lack of a CM candidate from PN shows that PH and BN are the two blocs who are in serious contention in the state to form government.

However, naming a CM candidate is just a small part in getting voters to go out on polling day, he said.

“Even the manifesto has little impact on attracting voters to go out and vote.”

The pollster said it has identified three main reasons that drive voters.

“The three factors are the candidates in their constituencies, identifying closely with a certain party and thirdly local and national issues that are brought up during campaigning.”

Hisommudin added that with the strict standard operating procedure set by the Election Commission with regard to campaigning, voters are not excited to cast their votes.

“There is no indication that voters are excited to cast their votes. This will be a challenge for all parties to ensure that there is high turnout.”

The EC had previously said the only form of physical campaigning allowed is speeches via speakers from moving vehicles at fixed times and with a police permit.

All physical gatherings are banned. This means that there can be no ceramah, door-to-door campaigns nor walkabouts.

Candidates and their parties are allowed to open only one operations centre per seat.

Those who violate the rules will be subject to the Elections Offences Act 1954.

With the ban by the EC, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa said the government is mulling allowing candidates to campaign on official channels given the new norm.

Following Annuar’s announcement, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has called for a televised debate among the CM candidates from PH, PN and BN.

Since PN does not have a CM candidate, both Mazlan and Hisommudin said PN will lose out if it doesn’t participate.

“Malacca is life or death for PN and Bersatu. If there is a debate and they don’t have a candidate, they will be left behind,” Mazlan said.

Hisommudin said that given that PN’s campaign has been slow going, it would be detrimental if it cannot send a representative for the debate.

“After four days of campaigning, PN is being left behind by the other two coalitions. It is as if they are not determined to compete against BN and PH.”

Malacca will go to the polls on November 20. – November 12, 2021.