JOHOR BARU: The slow start to campaigning since nomination day could be due to political parties still attempting to work out alliances and resolving hitches, say observers.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Md Akbal Abdullah said this was evident, especially with parties such as Parti Bersama Malaysia announcing their list only at the very last minute.
“There could have been some uncertainty earlier as some of the parties could be working on their a loose political pact.
“Now that PAS has openly asked their members to vote for Barisan Nasional candidates in areas they are not contesting in, it shows that there is something going on.
“This means that in areas where there are no Perikatan Nasional candidates, Barisan will be getting more votes,” he said, adding that PAS and Bersatu announcing their candidates separately at about the same time in the north of Johor also indicated that their internal feud has not yet been resolved.
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Assoc Prof Md Akbal said he expects political tensions to rise as parties and candidates raise various issues during the campaign.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was reported to have urged voters and supporters to vote for Barisan in the seats not contested by Perikatan.
Perikatan is contesting 33 seats in Johor, with Bersatu contesting 16, PAS 11, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) five and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) one.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali described PAS’s latest move as a sign of a loose electoral pact to ensure that Malay votes were not split.
“This seems to be the strategy, especially from PAS, as it did not even field a candidate against (caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk) Onn Hafiz Ghazi in Machap,” he said, reminding that in the last state election, PAS, Muda and Pejuang fielded candidates against him.
“Maybe that is why Perikatan is contesting fewer seats this time around. So if Barisan wins big in Johor, then their (PAS) quiet strategy not to break up the Malay vote will have worked.
“And PAS can continue to have discussions with Umno for more cooperation in the coming state polls in Negri Sembilan, Melaka and even GE16,” he added.
Despite the many parties in action in the Johor polls, Assoc Prof Mazlan said Barisan was the hot favourite with the state being its fortress.
He said Pakatan Harapan is hoping for voter turnout of more than 85% to deny Barisan a strong win, adding that one way to boost turnout is to encourage Johor voters living outside the state, mainly in Singapore, to return and vote.
