THE closest fights for parliamentary seats this general election will be in Johor, according to a poll which also showed several key constituencies in the Umno stronghold will fall to Pakatan Harapan. 

Research house Ilham Centre’s study results released today said that in Peninsular Malaysia, PH is expected to win 77 seats, while Barisan Nasional will retain 56. A total of 25 marginal seats will be closely fought between PH and BN, the glittering prize being Putrajaya.

Of the 25 seats, Johor holds the most number of hot seats in the Ayer Hitam, Pulai, Tanjong Piai and Johor Bharu parliamentary constituencies.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has said that if Pakatan succeeds in winning the Ayer Hitam seat, the coalition will likely be able to win other marginal seats.

PH candidate Liew Chin Tong from DAP is challenging MCA deputy president and incumbent Wee Ka Siong for the seat. They will be facing a three-cornered fight with PAS candidate, Mardi Marwan.

In Pulai, Amanah deputy president Salahudin Ayub is mounting a challenge against deputy home minister Nur Jazlan Mohamad in a four-cornered fight against PAS’ Mohd Mazri Yahya and independent candidate Yap Keng Tak.

Apart from Johor, the northern state of Kedah is also expected to fall to PH, with Kubang Pasu, Merbok and Padang Serai being the hardest-fought seats.

Three seats in Kelantan – Kota Bharu, Machang and Kuala Krai. – will also see a fierce battle between PAS and its splinter party Amanah,  

In Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Tambun and Padang Rengas will be closely-contested, while Alor Gajah and Tangga Batu in Malacca, and Tampin and Jelebu in  Negri Sembilan are also expected to be marginal seats.

Titiwangsa, Setiawangsa and Lembah Pantai in the Federal Territory, and Sepang and Sungai Besar in Selangor will be hard-fought constituencies, as will be Cameron Highlands, Dungun and Balik Pulau in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Penang, respectively. – May 8, 2018.