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Saturday, January 28, 2023

Risky, but Tengku Zafrul has good chance of winning state seat, PH told




Risky, but Tengku Zafrul has good chance of winning state seat, PH told


A report says Tengku Zafrul Aziz may stand in the coming Selangor state election. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be taking a risk by giving up one of its state seats to Umno’s Tengku Zafrul Aziz, says an analyst, warning that it could lead to a split within the coalition.

“On paper, he has a good chance of winning because PH and Barisan Nasional will likely work together, but the reality on the ground could be very different,” Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir told FMT.


It was reported recently that Tengku Zafrul, the international trade and industry minister, may stand in the coming Selangor state election.

According to the report, the former finance minister may stand in one of the three state seats under the Kota Raja parliamentary constituency after moving to the Kota Raja Umno division.

The three state seats in Kota Raja are Sentosa, Kota Kemuning and Sungai Kandis, all of which have been under either DAP or PKR since 2008.

“These are areas where PH parties have controlled for a long time,” Jeniri said.

“The grassroots in these areas, particularly the aspiring candidates and their supporters, may not like the idea of a parachute candidate, especially one from Umno.”

Even if PH and BN members agree to back Tengku Zafrul, he said, the same cannot be said about the voters.


“Many PH leaders were critical of Tengku Zafrul when he was the finance minister, including PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim.

“Will they come and sing praises of him now? I don’t think so, because it will affect their own credibility. So I think it will be an uphill task for Tengku Zafrul to win.”

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said he believed PH supporters will back Tengku Zafrul.

“It’s because if BN and PH work together, the choice for PH supporters will be between him and Perikatan Nasional (PN),” he said, adding that he does expect some protest votes from PH supporters.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali was more optimistic about Tengku Zafrul’s chances, saying he could win a seat if PH and BN worked together.

He said PH enjoys the support of the non-Malays, and with the support BN can get from the Malays, they can give PN a run for their money.

Selangor PH chief Amirudin Shari said a decision on cooperation between the coalition and BN will be decided by the end of the month.

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