PAKATAN Harapan has brushed off Barisan Nasional’s contention that it can secure a two-thirds majority in the state in the next general election.

“Everyone has their own opinion, but we are confident that there is a high chance for us to take over Kedah and contribute additional parliamentary seats at the federal level,” Kedah PH chairman Mukhriz Mahathir said today after attending the Kedah PH Chinese New Year celebration in Kedah.

“But I understand that, at this point, everyone has to show their confidence to the people.” 

He said PH’s own survey conducted at the grassroots level in the state showed BN’s presumption was wrong.

Umno Kedah had previously brushed off the studies by think tank Ilham Centre that found that areas such as Kubang Pasu, Jerlun and Langkawi were likely to fall to Bersatu, calling them an “overgeneralisation”.

Kedah has 36 state assembly seats.

BN holds 21, followed by PAS (8), DAP (2) and Amanah (1). It also has 15 parliamentary seats, with BN holding 10, PKR (4) and PAS (1).

In 2008, BN lost to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition bloc, which saw the appointment of the first PAS menteri besar, Azizan Razak.

In 2013, after BN recaptured the state, Mukhriz was appointed menteri besar.

Kedah Umno Youth chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidinis had previously said he was confident that the youth vote would swing in BN’s favour in Kedah.

“The main concern is always cost of living, income, employment and housing,” said Shaiful, adding that most of these issues had been addressed by the government.

He said he also wanted to send Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad home packing in the coming polls. – February 17, 2018.