Expert: Candidates will face tough questions in suburban areas
KUALA LUMPUR: The three-cornered fights for seats in suburban parliamentary areas will see fierce battles in the 14th General Election as they involve issues relating to political development and administration.
Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain said unless there was a compromise for straight fights in these seats, opposition candidates would have it tougher compared with those from Umno or Barisan Nasional because of split votes.
“With the presence of a third bloc, led by Pas, I foresee more clashes — not only three-way contests, but even four-cornered fights or more, excluding independent candidates.”
Three-cornered battles are expected in 106 parliamentary seats, which are deemed Malaymajority seats, as they may likely involve Malay-based parties such as Umno, Pas, PKR, Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Izani said most of the threecornered fights would be in Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu.
“For rural areas, the key issues are likely development and basic infrastructure, which favour BN.
“In urban areas, the issues will be different as they will focus on cost of living and administration.
“BN has to pay more attention to suburban parliamentary seats because these areas are deemed sidelined because of greater attention on urban and rural areas.
“Suburban voters are cognisant of current issues because of their mobility and access to the Internet and social media.
“In the same token, the issues in suburban areas correlate to those in urban and rural areas, particularly issues related to political development and administration.”
Universiti Teknologi Mara political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Ismail Sualman said the threecornered contests would reduce vote majorities and affect the status quo in Umno strongholds.
Many consider three-cornered fights to be an advantage to Umno and BN because of the opposition split, he said. However, he said it would also split votes into three groups.
“I expect the focus will be on suburban areas, as well as areas where the constituents, based on their ethnic backgrounds, are equally divided.
“Conflicts will occur in areas where the majority of the voters are 60 per cent Malays as this will see their numbers split into three.
“I anticipate not only threecornered contests, but also many to contest as independent candidates. This is because Pas is no longer with the opposition coalition and those who are not selected as candidates will contest as independents.”