THE uncertainty over Zambry Abdul Kadir’s future as the Barisan Nasional menteri besar candidate in Perak has hampered the party’s campaigning in the state, said a political analyst.

Zambry is contesting the Pangkor state seat and the Lumut parliamentary seat, which has triggered talk that the two-term MB may move to the federal government after the 14th general election.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said the uncertainty has had a demotivating effect on the state’s machinery.

“If the BN machinery is up and firing, there should be banners and billboards to advertise Zambry’s success as menteri besar. But until now, they are nowhere to be seen,” he said.

The same situation is affecting Perak Pakatan Harapan (PH), which has failed to leverage on the solid turnout at its ceramah.

“It’s because the PKR, Bersatu and Amanah machineries have failed to coordinate in the state,” said Hisommudin, who joined PH’s Seri Iskandar roadshow in Parit on Wednesday.

Although hundreds turned up at the roadshow, it failed to generate chatter the next day among locals in Parit, he said.

“I frequented several coffee shops in the villages after the roadshow but people didn’t talk about it.

“From my observation, the BN and PH machineries are not working well,” he said, drawing comparisons with PAS’ machinery that has been putting up flags and buntings everywhere.

“It shows that the machinery is more vibrant,” he said. – April 28, 2018.