‘PKR FAVOURED TO WIN SEAT’
GE14 momentum, voter sentiment unchanged, say analysts
PKR has an advantage and a good chance of retaining the Sungai Kandis state seat in the by-election on Aug 4. This is based on feedback received by the New Straits Times Press from political leaders, analysts, editors, non-governmental organisations and an online poll by Berita Harian, which showed that it would be tough for Barisan Nasional to wrest the seat from Pakatan Harapan.
The candidate factor and the possibility that there will be no major shift in voters’ sentiment are seen as providing PKR with a comfortable path in retaining the seat.
Parti Amanah Negara secretary-general Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir, who is deputy works minister, said there was no reason for voters in Sungai Kandis to reject the PKR candidate.
“We (PH) are confident of defending the Sungai Kandis seat.”
Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed said the PKR candidate was not only a local, but had contributed to people in the constituency. He said although BN had placed an outsider to contest the seat, who was associated with PKR and who is an Umno Supreme Council member, the winning momentum for the coalition had yet to be seen.
“Candidates play an important role in attracting voters, especially in an area where Malay voters are the majority.
“In Sungai Kandis, most of them are from the Javanese community. “BN’s candidate is not the right candidate to win back the seat.” The by-election will see a threecornered contest between PKR candidate Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, 48, BN candidate Datuk Lokman Noor Adam, 45, and Independent Murthy Krishnasamy, 60, a pensioner.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the momentum of the May 9 general election remained in favour of PH.
“The majority won by PH under the PKR logo in GE14 was huge and the May 9 momentum remains unchanged.
“The PKR candidate has contributed to the area, while BN is now only forming its team and will need time to close ranks.
“The cooperation between Umno and Pas had yet to be tested.”
Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia president Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim said the candidate factor was the reason why PKR would win.
“Voters in Sungai Kandis will give their consideration to a local candidate,” he said, adding that the PKR candidate was well known locally and had contributed to the community.
Bernama news editor Mohd Yusof Saari said PH had an advantage and it would be tough to challenge the coalition.
A BH Twitter poll conducted in the last five days showed that the majority of those polled favoured PH.
A breakdown of the 666 votes up to 2pm yesterday showed that 65 per cent favoured PH, while 35 per cent sided with the opposition.