THE cooperation between Umno and PAS in the Seri Setia by-election is not leaving an impact to the voters in the state constituency in Selangor.

Some questioned the reasoning behind the Islamist party’s move while others felt that the general public was still excited with the new administration under Pakatan Harapan (PH) and would want the coalition to retain the state seat.

PH’s Halimey Abu Bakar is facing a straight fight with PAS’ Dr Halimah Ali. Umno has decided to sit out on this by-election in return for the favour given by PAS in Sg Kandis.

During nomination on August 18, prominent Umno leaders, such as Wanita Umno head Noraini Ahmad, Selangor Umno chief Ismail Sabri Yaakob and state information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, showed up in support of Halimah.

A voter, who only wanted to be known as Zaidin, said Seri Setia is PH’s stronghold and he was confident of the pact retaining the seat come September 8.

The Lembah Subang resident said PAS should not have cooperated with Umno, as it previously vowed, and it shows the party’s lack of integrity.

“The cooperation will not help both parties. Why would they do that? Umno is losing and might be completely wiped out in the future.

“Previously, even PAS members said they would not cooperate with their rival but now they are. It (the party) has changed,” the 63-year-old told The Malaysian Insight.

He added that the cooperation between both parties would aggravate the situation and benefit none.

“They should not have done it. Many people hate Umno and now it will affect PAS as well,” said Zaidin who admitted that he was a former PAS supporter.

A voter in Kg Lindungan, Ani, also shared the same view as Zaidin, and believes that the cooperation would not attract more voters to the opposition.

Despite not much campaigning being done in the area, Ani said PH would still be able to retain its seat as they have a large supporter base in the area.

“Pakatan would not be affected because it has only been a little more than 100 days since PH took over the government.

“The excitement still lingers among voters,” said the 27-year-old.

With the cooperation being the highlight for both parties since Barisan Nasional lost in the 14th general election (GE14), an analyst said the cooperation would not excite voters if PAS obtained fewer votes in the by-election.

Wong Chin Huat of Penang Institute said a low number of votes for PAS would mean that it will not be able to expand its influence in Selangor.

“For PAS, a low vote share may just confirm that its expansion into Selangor after 2008 would be rolled back.

“Ambitious Selangor PAS leaders may want to consider moving to Kelantan and Terengganu until the national tide returns – like Mohamad Sabu and Hatta Ramli who contested in Kelantan – or moving to one of the PH parties, most likely PKR, on Azmin’s side,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Low voter turnout expected  

The Seri Setia seat fell vacant after its incumbent Shaharudin Badaruddin died of colon cancer on August 2.

In GE14, Shaharuddin won the seat by 19,372 votes, getting a total of 29,250 votes in a four-cornered fight against Yusoff M. Haniff (BN), Mohd Ghazali Daud (PAS) and Vigneswaran Subramaniam (independent).

Seri Setia has 52,650 voters, comprising 55% Malays, Chinese (20%), Indians (24%) and others (2%). The seat was previously held by PKR’s Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad for the past two terms before GE14.

The recent Sg Kandis by-election on August 4 saw a low voter turnout of only 49.4%.

The Election Commission (EC) said it was the second lowest turnout recorded, the first being the Penanti by-election in 2009.

Ani said she would not be surprised if the same happens in Seri Setia on September 8.

“The numbers might be lower but PH will gain victory because the locals here are staunch supporters of the coalition.

“People are looking forward to see the changes that PH will bring to the area,” she added.

Wong said not much has changed since the Sg Kandis by-election and a low voter turnout is expected in Seri Setia.

He, however, said the main issue was not the voter turnout but how a low turnout would have an adverse effect on PAS.

“If it repeats the Sg Kandis pattern, PH gets fewer votes, but PAS and Umno may get even lower than their combined votes in GE14. This means the Umno-PAS teaming up does not excite voters,” he said.

Universiti Malaya associate prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said low voter turnout in by-elections is common unless big names are contesting.

He said a slight dip in numbers will not greatly affect PH’s chances of winning.

“The opposition’s chances of winning would also reduce if the turnout is low.

“However, there is no huge implication on PH if there is a low turnout except that the votes gained will also be lower,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak associate professor Jeniri Amir said a low turnout was expected due to political fatigue.

He added that voters are also less interested to turn up because they feel that PH is guaranteed to win.

“The by-election is also near to GE14. However, a low turnout will affect the majority and popular votes.

“This is important for the opposition to prove that PH is losing support.”

The Seri Setia by-election will be held simultaneously with the Balakong by-election on September 8. – August 23, 2018.