THE Anwar Ibrahim administration’s performance will be key to Kelantan voters turning their backs on PAS since 1990, grassroots leaders said. 

It has always been a two-horse race of PAS and Umno in the state, but Anwar’s fulfilment of his pledges since becoming prime minister in November could swing votes in the state polls, which are expected to be held in July. 

Umno grassroots are looking at issues in the unity government, such as the distribution of positions and candidate selections for the state polls, which could create tension and potentially lead to a crisis. 

A Kelantan Umno division deputy chief, who declined to be named, expects PAS candidates to raise hudud and oil royalties matters.

“The matter of employment opportunities for Kelantan people and issues affecting youth are also being played up,” he said.

“The current issue is the performance of this unity government. It is certain Perikatan Nasional (PN) will use this to attack the government.”

Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Selangor, Penang and Terengganu are expected to dissolve their state assemblies in June.

PAS continued its dominance in Kelantan when it won 37 out of 45 assembly seats in the 2018 general election (GE). Barisan Nasional (BN), which is part of the current unity government, only won 10 state seats in the May 2018 GE. 

The Umno leader said the Kelantan people’s reactions to the performance of the unity government so far have not been encouraging. 

He said many, including Umno members, expressed disappointment in Anwar’s government.

“As for Umno internally, especially the frontliners, they are not satisfied with the positions given. They feel (the distribution) is unfair.

“Umno supporters are sticking to Anwar’s promises. For example, the promise to lower oil prices when he won the GE.

“For the ordinary people, Anwar’s administration has lost its ‘wow’ factor,” he said.

He did not rule out the possibility that BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will do poorly in the polls.

“Defending the existing seats will be very difficult for BN, even with the cooperation of PH. BN might even lose more seats here.

“For example, the Kok Lanas seat held by Md Alwi Che Ahmad. He doesn’t seem to stand a chance in retaining his seat.”

The leader said former Ketereh MP Annuar Musa, who is rumoured to be joining PAS, will make BN and PH’s chances more difficult because of his great influence in the state.

The Kelantan Umno division deputy chief said cooperation between BN and PH will be tested when it comes to seat negotiations.

“Each party has set absurd conditions (for seat negotiations). When it comes to seat negotiations, we look at data like the trend of voters and supporters in the last elections.

“That is how it should be done, but if everyone has their own opinion, there will be a crisis” and Umno will lose, he said.

He said Anwar’s compromise in allowing leaders facing corruption allegations to join his government is also of concern.

Bersatu Pasir Mas chief Che Johan Che Pa expects the issue (unity government leaders facing corruption charges) to be the most prevalent in his party’s campaign, which he thinks will cause Kelantan voters to further reject PH and BN. 

Che Johan said it would be an advantage for PN, which is expected to repeat its 2022 GE success. 

“BN and PH really cannot fight PN in Kelantan because the people’s support is very strong. The momentum from GE15 has not diminished at all,” he said. 

He said there is a new trend of voters working outside Kelantan who will not return to vote in the state polls.

“I myself was surprised when they admitted they do not want to go back to vote in Kelantan.

“The reason is that the position of PAS and PN is already strong in Kelantan.

“What is important for them now is that PAS and PN extend their victory in Selangor and Negri Sembilan,” he said. – April 13, 2023.