By NT
KOTA KINABALU: With less than five hours before the campaign ends, opinion polls suggest that the Unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could win with a favourable majority in three of the six states in tomorrow’s elections.
The anticipated top-notch victories of PH-BN might likely be delivered in Selangor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan.
But those polls widened during the campaign, and now there is a possibility that the PH-BN coalition may spring a surprise in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu despite facing a tough challenge from the Perikatan Nasional (PN).
PH is for the first time working with former rivals BN in the polls, which come about eight months after federal elections resulted in a hung parliament.
The unity government and opposition coalitions have made economic issues a key part of their campaigns amid rising inflation and rising costs of living.
During the two-week election campaign, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin repeatedly accused the unity government of not doing enough during its eight months in power to boost the economy and help the people deal with the crisis caused by the rising cost.
On the other hand, Anwar presented some details about its economic plans, beyond its promise to address the increasing cost of living and pursue racially inclusive and free of corruption.
Anwar was proving an effective campaigner. The veteran politician’s offensive style winning over voters.
Capitalising fully on the issue of “Sakau” (corruption) and the failure of the then PN government to govern the country has caught the PN off guard, thus putting the PN on the defensive during the campaign, so much so that their campaigners hardly touched the issue of corruption.
Critics, especially the opposition, opined that the state polls were a referendum on the unity government.
In rebuttal, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli was quoted as saying that It would be “numerically” difficult for the unity government to fall after the state elections, as being claimed by certain quarters.
“Logically, how can that happen after the state elections? A vote of no confidence is not going to take place; you cannot switch parties (any longer), and if the largest block exits the unity government, the government stays, and it is numerically difficult,” Rafizi said of the so-called referendum issue recently.
With the economy and cost of living now a central focus of the campaign, Anwar’s eight-month record in power is under scrutiny. And on Saturday, millions of voters in the six states will deliver the KPI of Anwar.
Many believe young people’s impact on the state elections is difficult to predict.
But for veteran politician Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, his prediction is that PN will capture five out of six states in the August 12 polls.
In contrast, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan projected a momentous victory for BN and PH, envisioning a potential 6-0 or 5-1 outcome in their favour.
Many political pundits are of the opinion that the outcome of the state elections will also depend on whether the majority of UMNO/BN members will vote for PH candidates in the Malay seats, and it is left to be seen.
So, from dreaming of retaining the majority in Selangor, Penang, and Terengganu at the outset of the campaign, Anwar’s led Unity Government now has a mathematical chance of clinching a surprise victory in Kedah and fighting for every vote in Kelantan and Terengganu.
Voters in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will go to the polls on Aug 12 to elect their new state governments.
The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will also be held simultaneously on the same day.
