PAS can be the ‘kingmaker’ in Kedah as projections show a hung state government, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) researcher Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said today.

Out of 36 state seats, BN is projected to win 16 seats with Pakatan Harapan taking 12 seats and PAS eight. Nineteen seats are needed to form the state government.

Azizuddin told the Ikmas-Merdeka Centre election forum at Nottingham University, Kuala Lumpur issues of development, race and religion were still dominant, particularly in rural areas and that “face-to-face” engagements were necessary for politicians there.

“Pakatan Harapan has yet to have a clear policy agenda for Kedah. It’s relying too much on sentiment when it comes to Tun Dr Mahathir,” he said, referring to PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The chances of Pakatan winning in the northern region, including Kedah, is slim as they are too reliant on the Dr Mahathir factor. They need to do more.

“BN is knows that the Dr Mahathir factor is strong, so they retain many of their incumbents. They want to ensure there’s no infighting in the BN machinery because they are facing Tun. There’s some BN’s internal bickering and disunity, but only in some areas,” he said.

Azizuddin said BN would also not win outright as it was perceived to have failed in the management of the economy.

“(Caretaker MB) Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah is not considered a strong leader.”

There’s also the fact that Kedah is Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s home state, he said.

“In Kedah, the voters are not looking for someone who is highly educated. They just want a leader who can protect them, someone (whose ear is) close to the ground,” said Azizuddin.

On Kedah’s parliamentary seats, Azizuddin predicted BN would retain seven seats, Pakatan would win eight, and PAS would lose every seat. – May 2, 2018.