ALOR SETAR: Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid has dismissed claims that Perikatan Nasional is the preferred choice among voters in Kedah. The majority of voters in the state are actually aligned with Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, according to the Kedah Barisan chairman.
Mahdzir stated that the “green wave” that occurred during the 15th General Election, which favored Perikatan Nasional, will not continue and will diminish over time. He emphasized that PAS’ strength and its speculated spillover effect in mainland Penang are not significant factors in determining the outcome of the state election in Kedah.
Furthermore, Mahdzir asserted that the so-called “3P” (PAS, padi, and pondok) factor is an outdated rhetoric in Kedah. This term refers to the perceived strength of PAS, illustrating how the Islamist party relies on the social network of huts (pondok) in agricultural areas such as padi fields.
He mentioned that PAS only had significant strength in Kedah when it formed a coalition with DAP and PKR under Pakatan Rakyat, winning the state government in 2008. However, voters subsequently chose Barisan Nasional in 2013, demonstrating that PAS’ influence was short-lived.
Mahdzir also highlighted that Kedah PAS is currently facing internal issues. As an example, he mentioned two Langkawi PAS committee members, Safwan Hanif Shafie and Mazlan Ahmad, who decided to contest as Independents due to their dissatisfaction with the candidates selected by Perikatan.
The former Padang Terap MP stated that Kedahans are wise and moderate, and they know who to vote for in the state polls. He expressed confidence that the wave has shifted in their favor and that the people of Kedah need a functional government that can provide excellent service to them.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
