BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang’s Green Council and Green Agenda may not be the only things gaining traction in the state. The influence of PAS and Perikatan Nasional is also growing in the Malay heartland on the mainland. Much of this can be attributed to caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who has a talent for connecting with rural communities.
Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, a member of PAS, stated, “Everyone is looking at Sanusi. Because of Sanusi, we are getting support. He has his attractions, including among the young generation.” He believes that there is even stronger support now compared to the 15th General Election (GE15). Muhammad Sanusi’s message has resonated widely, particularly among the younger generation.
During the GE15, Muhammad Fawwaz was relatively unknown and ignored by the media. However, he managed to defeat Pakatan Harapan’s Nurul Izzah Anwar with a 5,272 majority. Social media played a crucial role in Perikatan’s strategy, as it allowed them to reach people who may not be home during house-to-house visits.
Walkabouts and ceramah sessions have seen a decline, with many relying on updates through social media. Hawker Sazlynaa Ismail expressed her disappointment at not having met her constituency’s Perikatan candidate, although she had information on her phone. She wanted to convey the need for a community hall for their women’s group.
Sabirah Muhd Tahrim, a drinks seller in Kampung Permatang Pasir, mentioned that her sons, who work outside the village, seemed to know more about the election candidates than she did. She wished for the candidate to engage more with the locals.
Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik highlighted that Perikatan supporters were encouraging voters to download social media apps like TikTok. On the other hand, Pakatan candidates are committed to traditional methods, meeting voters in person and sharing their vision.
Penang Bersatu chief Zulkifli Bakar expressed confidence in their chances, stating, “Our critics say that we can only ‘dream’ of winning. Who would have thought that we could win in Permatang Pauh? It is not impossible for us to win more seats.” He himself is contesting in Penanti.
The growing influence of PAS and Perikatan Nasional in Penang’s mainland is gaining attention, with Muhammad Sanusi’s appeal and the strategic use of social media playing significant roles in their campaign.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
