The Malaysian Insight

PAS’ confidence in capturing Terengganu in GE14 could stumble on one cold fact: the substantial Chinese vote could go elsewhere to deprive the party of several state seats, analysts said.

“Seats in Tepuh, Teluk Pasu, Alor Limbat, Bukit Payung, Rantau Abang, Sura and Paka could be problematic for PAS due to the internal splits within the party and a rapidly uniting Umno.” said Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar.

“The Chukai seat will be very hard to defend if the Chinese voters pull away from PAS,” he added. 

Chukai has 17% of Chinese voters while the Bandar seat, which is held by PKR, has 37% Chinese voters.

PAS is expected to contest the Bandar seat following the end of its working relationship with PKR.

In the last elections, Barisan National (BN) won 17 out of the 32 seats in Terengganu, PAS took 14 and PKR, one.

The Malaysian Insight reported yesterday that PAS grassroots were confident of capturing Terengganu even if there were three-cornered fights in the general election.

They cited the internal rifts in Umno Terengganu and the Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman’s weak leadership as being advantageous to a PAS victory.

However, Hisommudin said the internal conflict in Umno Terengganu looks to have dissipated as Razif has began to appease the supporters of the former menteri besar Ahmad Said.

“If Umno lets Razif lead it into the elections, it could be a threat to PAS in some seats as PAS has its own internal problems,” said Hisommudin.

“PAS’ ambitions to retake Terengganu is made harder as it has decided to go it alone in the next elections.”

One factor that helped PAS win 14 seats during the 13th general election was its being in Pakatan Rakyat.

“There was no split in the party then. But the situation is very different now,” said Hisommudin.

Hisommudin said PAS would also find it tough trying to wrest the seats held by Umno.

“Umno won Kuala Besut, Kota Putera, Jertih and Hulu Besut strongly due the split in PAS during Ustaz Abdul Latif Muhamad’s era.

“Some of his supporters have since joined Amanah,” said Hisommudin.

According to Ilham Centre, Jabi, Permaisuri, Langkap, Batu Rakit, Seberang Takir, Pengkalan Berangan, Telemung, Kuala Berang and Ajil are Umno strongholds that PAS will find very hard to penetrate.

Political analyst Ibrahim Suffian said it would be very difficult for PAS if there were more three-cornered fights in the state.

“PAS stands to win Terengganu if it’s a straight fight and both parties put out interesting candidates.

PKR and Amanah are expected to steal votes from PAS in a three-cornered fight, said the Merdeka Center director. – May 30, 2017.

 

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