COURT cases against Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders, racial and religious rhetoric and cost of living issues will be the backdrop of the Terengganu state elections, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional youth leaders said.

Admitting these issues will be challenging, they also believed that they have an advantage going into the elections in the state where PN will be the big favourite to win.

Amanah Terengganu Youth chief Mohamad Zamir Ghazali said election petitions grounded on corrupt practices against two PAS federal seats in the state will give an advantage to PH and Umno.

He said voters’ perception will change if PAS’ victory in the general election (GE) is annulled for two seats on the grounds of vote buying.

At the same time, PAS’ ally Bersatu also has its leaders charged in court for corruption and embezzlement.

He said in the GE, voters in Terengganu gave PN full support because they believed in the pact’s message of it being clean and corruption-free.

“The court cases will cause the people to think twice (about voting for PN), so maybe the votes will be split.

“There are also the Kuala Terengganu and Marang petitions (to annul PAS’ victory).

“It could result in a shift of voter support in the polls,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

PAS president Abdul Had Awang and Amzad Hashim are facing election petitions over their wins in Marang and Kuala Terengganu respectively. They have been accused of being involved in money politics to win their seats.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and former information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan are facing criminal proceedings.

Zamir said the rhetoric of race and religion will be played up by PN in the state polls, adding that this would be a challenge for PH to counter.

“They will play on religious and racial sentiments because it worked in the last GE. It caused PH and BN to lose badly in Terengganu.

“It is a big challenge for PH, especially Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to highlight issues that exist now, including the controversy over church visits and supposed government support for LGBT.

“If the government can manage it well, these issues can’t be used as capital by the opposition bloc for the elections,” said Zamir.

He added that the same goes for the cost of living issues, which the opposition has accused the government of poor handling.

“The increase in the cost of living and the price of goods will continue to cause disappointment for the people and have an impact on voter support in the polls.

“Due to these issues, the federal government has to ensure the effectiveness of its aid programmes in dealing with these issues.

“If not, it will certainly be a big challenge for PH in the state,” he said.

He said PAS, which rules the state, will publicise their success in providing various forms of aid programmes to the people of Terengganu.

Banking on federal support

Terengganu Umno Youth chief Tengku Haphiz Tengku Putera said efforts are being made to highlight the performance of PH and BN.

“The important thing is that we have to show our credibility on what we can offer as a state government so that the voters can evaluate us,” he said.

He also said that BN would face challenges with the cost of living issue, but believed that the federal government’s actions at this time can help the people.

“For example on flood aid, the government has already completed the distribution of most of this aid, which shows that we can solve this issue immediately.

“Likewise with the cost of living issue, the federal government has made a commitment earlier by launching initiatives such as the Rahmah menu and cash donations.

“This has all been done by the federal government,” he said.

He said the issue of race and religion is not a problem in PH and BN with the establishment of the secretariat’s leadership council.

“Also the memorandum of understanding between the parties in the unity government shows our commitment in taking care of issues like this.

“We already have an understanding with DAP not to touch on the rights of Malays and Muslims.”

Six states are expected to hold their polls in June, the PH-held Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang, and PN/PAS-ruled Kelantan, Kedah, and Terengganu. – March 30, 2023.