DESPITE retaining the Barisan Nasional stronghold of Suka Menanti five times, Kedah’s caretaker menteri besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanifah’s position looks shaky because of voters upset with the rising cost of living.

“People don’t care whether they know the opposition candidate or not, but they are voting for any party that opposes BN,” said Sabuddin Mutallah, 67, a voter in the state seat formerly known as Bakar Bata.

In Suka Menanti, Bashah will face a three-cornered fight against Zamri Yusof (PKR) and Mohd Sabri Omar (PAS).

Bashah, who became menteri besar in 2016 after ousting Mukhriz Mahathir through a vote of no-confidence in the legislative assembly, has held the seat since 1999. However, his majority in the 2013 election declined to 895 votes from 6,037 in 2004.

Mohamad Ridzwan Hasan, 50 blamed the government for the rising cost of living. 

“What can we buy with RM50? The prices of everything has risen. It’s expensive. This time, we have to change the government, otherwise the prices of things will continue to rise,” he said. 

A younger voter, Mohamad Hanif, 28, said he will take a wait-and-see approach on which party to support come polling day on May 9.

“I don’t know any more. But I don’t feel good hearing about the scandal with Najib related to 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion allegation,” he said.

An elderly voter, Hashim Abdullah, 76, said he would still support BN out of gratitude for Ahmad Bashah’s work. But he acknowledged that there were signs of discontent in Suka Menanti over the cost of living.

“For me, this election is just a fight between Umno and Bersatu. But this seat has never fallen to other parties.”

Although Bashah is not facing Mukhriz in the elections, the son of Dr Mahathir Mohamad is contesting in the Jitra state seat and could be Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for menteri besar should it win the state. Mukhriz is also contesting the Jerlun parliamentary seat.

Mukhriz, who became menteri besar in 2013, was ousted in a revolt led by Bashah after openly criticising Umno president and caretaker prime minister Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandals.

Mukhriz was also popular among youth in the state over improvements he made to the Kedah Football Association. – April 30, 2018.