‘PAN NEEDS DR M, MUKHRIZ’
Their influence may help party win big in Kedah, says state PAN chief
IN February 2012, then Kedah Pas leaders Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh and Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi sparked controversy when they declined to be reappointed as state executive councillors.
The move by Dr Ismail, a medical practitioner, and Phahrolrazi, an engineer, turned to rock the first Pas-led opposition government formed in the Rice Bowl state after it was wrested from Barisan Nasional in 2008.
The rejection resulted in an open confrontation between the ulama faction, led by late menteri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak, and the “Erdogans” in Pas.
It was a huge blow to Azizan, who was state Pas commissioner, as the revolt was led by his right-hand men — Phahrolrazi was deputy commissioner I, while Dr Ismail was deputy commissioner II.
The rift had cost Pas the ultimate price when it failed to defend the state during the 13th General Election four years ago.
Phahrolrazi defended his Pengkalan Kundor seat in the May 2013 general election, but later jumped to Pas splinter Parti Amanah Negara (PAN).
Dr Ismail, who was Alor Mengkudu assemblyman, did not participate in the polls. He is now Kedah PAN chairman.
It is an open secret that loyal Pas members and supporters, particularly those in Kedah, are finding it difficult to let go of the dark episode.
Worse, the animosity proves to be a stumbling block for PAN leaders to make inroads in the state. So much so that they needed help from former rivals to pave the way and facilitate campaigns among rural Malays.
Today, Dr Ismail, will play host to delegates at the PAN national convention and leaders from opposition pact Pakatan Harapan.
Among opposition leaders who will be attending the convention are pact chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, and his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the former Kedah menteri besar.
PAN president Mohamad Sabu, or “Mat Sabu”, will be returning to Kedah with the pact’s big guns to display solidarity in facing off Barisan Nasional and Pas in the 14th General Election.
Dr Ismail admitted that PAN was riding on PPBM leaders’ influence to woo supporters in Kedah and nationwide.
“We have to admit that the Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz factor may help Pakatan Harapan win big in Kedah,” he said.
The pact recently decided that Dr Mahathir’s PPBM would lead the bloc’s election machinery although seat allocation among pact members had yet to be sorted out.
But Dr Ismail clarified that the arrangement did not guarantee PPBM’s future role as the administration’s backbone should the opposition win the state.
“Yes, PPBM is leading the charge in Kedah for the next general election, but that does not mean that it will lead the state government if the pact assumes power.”
It was surprising for PAN to hold its convention in Kedah, said political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Abu Bakar.
Agreeing that the race for Kedah was a do-or-die mission for PAN and Pakatan Harapan, Mohamad said it was expected that Mat Sabu’s team would ride on Dr Mahathir’s and Mukhriz’s influence in the few pockets of grassroots they were popular with.
“But PAN and Pakatan will face an uphill battle to woo the majority of Pas and Umno loyalists in rural constituencies to switch sides.
“These supporters are conservative and so loyal to their respective party’s struggles that they consider it bigger than any individual interest,” Mohamad said.
He said the trend was evident in Malay heartlands such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Mohamad said history had shown that leaders from Umno and Pas could leave the parties for various reasons, but their resignations did little to affect the rank-and-file’s conviction.
“The other important factor is that they (Malay voters in rural areas) are wary about venturing into uncharted territory.