IT has been more than 18 months since Mukhriz Mahathir was forced to quit as Kedah menteri besar, but the new MB still has a tough time wooing young voters.

And besides Mukhriz, Barisan Nasional Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanapiah also has to deal with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is from Kedah, and now leading Bersatu and the opposition pact Pakatan Harapan.

While on paper, BN looks capable of keeping the northern state because of the likelihood of three-cornered fights, these underlying currents among the state’s 1.1 million voters could work against the ruling coalition at the 14^th general election, which must be called by next August.

At the heart of the battle is the task of winning over Malay voters, who are expected to be split between Umno, PAS and Amanah, PKR and Bersatu – the last three parties being members of PH.

“Is there anyone in BN and Umno we can trust?” asked a local who only wanted to be known as Bob, at a stall in Kg Langgar, Bedong.

He went on to list the names of several state Umno leaders with their own alleged scandals and were living beyond their means, and noted how the BN lynchpin party was dealing with internal conflict.

“Do we want leaders like these at a time when the ordinary folk are suffering?

“Whichever candidate Umno places in Kedah will not gain the support of ordinary Kedahans,” the 30-year-old computer retail shop owner said.

Silent protest

Bob said the silent protest against Umno began in Kedah after Mukhriz was forced to resign as MB in February 2016.

Matters were worsened when Kedahans started comparing Mukhriz, 53, with his successor Ahmad Bashah, 67.

“The gap between Mukhriz and the current MB is too big. Although Mukhriz was only MB for less than three years, he had brought in many types of programmes and development ideas. He looks to the future,” said Bob.

And although the new MB, Ahmad Bashah, is aware of the problem affecting youth, such as a lack of affordable housing, his administration has yet to bring in any new housing schemes, said Bob.

In the 13th general election, one of BN’s election strategies for Kedah was to parade Mukhriz as its candidate for MB. Against an ineffective PAS government which ruled from 2008-2013, BN reclaimed Kedah and promptly made Mukhriz MB.

But Mukhriz and his father fell out with BN after Dr Mahathir turned against Prime Minister Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

Mukhriz was also one of the few Umno leaders who openly questioned Najib on the 1MDB affair.

The end was near for him when Ahmad Bashah led a group of Umno assemblymen and openly declared that they had lost confidence in Mukhriz as MB, forcing the latter to resign.

Mukhriz was subsequently sacked from Umno along with former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Mukhriz is now deputy president of Bersatu, Muhyiddin its president, while Dr Mahathir is chairman. 

Internal weaknesses

“BN’s problems in Kedah are exacerbated by Kedah Umno’s own weaknesses and Ahmad Bashah’s unpopularity,” said Ilham Centre director Hisommudin Bakar.

“There will be an internal revolt in Kedah Umno and PH will benefit,” said the pollster, based on a recent survey conducted in Kedah.

Hisommudin said the survey in May showed that Umno will see protest votes in the Langkawi, Jerlun, Kubang Pasu, Alor Setar, Pokok Sena, Kuala Kedah and Merbok parliamentary seats.

“The protest is minimal in Sik, Baling and Padang Terap while the non-Malay voters will be the deciding factor in Sg Petani, Padang Serai and Kulim Bandar Baru.

“I think Umno and BN have their own assessment of the situation in Kedah. And if Umno can’t detect this, it means that it is in trouble.”

But Hisomuddin warned that relying on the anti-BN sentiment alone is not enough for PH to win Kedah as it needs to come up with better offers to voters.

He said that PH parties also needed to set aside their own egos and work for a united victory. 

“If all these elements come together, it’s not unthinkable for PH to surprise BN in the next elections.”

In Kg Langgar, Bedong and Pokok Sena, Umno has a different challenge as these are PAS strongholds.

But PAS supporters here are also fond of Mukhriz when he as MB.

“Mukhriz did not discriminate and took care of everyone… even those who did not support Umno and BN,” said 53-year-old Muhammad Nasri.

“I think that if Mukhriz contests and leads the PH charge in Kedah, they can win big in this area as all the Umno members seem directionless.” – October 30, 2017.