Pundits’ take on hot seats
PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim (left) is the favourite in Tambun, while PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin must win in Pagoh if he hopes to return to power.
PETALING JAYA: While 222 seats are up for grabs in tomorrow’s elections, some will be of greater interest than others.
In Pagoh, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin must win if he wants to return to power, while Anwar Ibrahim’s elusive dream to become prime minister hangs in the balance in Tambun.
There are other hot seats as well – from Arau to Titiwangsa to Penampang.
FMT takes a look at 10 of these seats as analysts Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, and Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi weigh in on the likely winners.
PETALING JAYA: While 222 seats are up for grabs in tomorrow’s elections, some will be of greater interest than others.
In Pagoh, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin must win if he wants to return to power, while Anwar Ibrahim’s elusive dream to become prime minister hangs in the balance in Tambun.
There are other hot seats as well – from Arau to Titiwangsa to Penampang.
FMT takes a look at 10 of these seats as analysts Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, and Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi weigh in on the likely winners.
(From left) Azmi Hassan, Oh Ei Sun and Awang Azman Pawi.
PAGOH
Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin is seeking a ninth term in Pagoh. As the PN leader, he is also its candidate for prime minister should the coalition win GE15. Muhyiddin is up against former Muar MP Razali Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan’s Iskandar Shah Abdul Rahman in the Malay-majority seat.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: PN will win.
Oh: 50-50 between PN and PH.
Awang Azman: 50-50 between BN and PN.
Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin is seeking a ninth term in Pagoh. As the PN leader, he is also its candidate for prime minister should the coalition win GE15. Muhyiddin is up against former Muar MP Razali Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan’s Iskandar Shah Abdul Rahman in the Malay-majority seat.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: PN will win.
Oh: 50-50 between PN and PH.
Awang Azman: 50-50 between BN and PN.
TITIWANGSA
Former second finance minister Johari Ghani is looking to retake the Titiwangsa seat he lost to Bersatu’s Rina Harun in GE14. This time around, he faces a four-cornered fight against PH heavyweight and former federal territories minister Khalid Samad. The other contenders are PN’s Dr Rosni Adam and Pejuang’s Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: 50-50 between PN and PH.
Former second finance minister Johari Ghani is looking to retake the Titiwangsa seat he lost to Bersatu’s Rina Harun in GE14. This time around, he faces a four-cornered fight against PH heavyweight and former federal territories minister Khalid Samad. The other contenders are PN’s Dr Rosni Adam and Pejuang’s Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: 50-50 between PN and PH.
TAMBUN
PH chairman Anwar faces a four-cornered fight for Tambun against Bersatu deputy president and former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, BN’s Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and Pejuang’s Abdul Rahim Tahir. A defeat for Anwar would derail his hopes of becoming prime minister even if PH wins the polls.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: PH.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
PH chairman Anwar faces a four-cornered fight for Tambun against Bersatu deputy president and former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, BN’s Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and Pejuang’s Abdul Rahim Tahir. A defeat for Anwar would derail his hopes of becoming prime minister even if PH wins the polls.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: PH.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
ARAU
Dropped by BN, former Arau MP Shahidan Kassim turned to PN and will be contesting on its ticket. The Perlis strongman is going up against his protege, Arau Umno vice-chief Rozabil Abd Rahman, and PH’s Fathin Amelina.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between PN and BN.
Awang Azman: BN.
Dropped by BN, former Arau MP Shahidan Kassim turned to PN and will be contesting on its ticket. The Perlis strongman is going up against his protege, Arau Umno vice-chief Rozabil Abd Rahman, and PH’s Fathin Amelina.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between PN and BN.
Awang Azman: BN.
BENTONG
Former Bentong MP Wong Tack is contesting as an independent against former DAP comrade Young Syefura Othman and former MCA president Liow Tiong Lai, who will be hoping for a split in the opposition votes. PN’s Roslan Hassan and independent candidate Achik Khalil are also contesting the seat, which has an almost equal number of Malay and Chinese voters.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
Former Bentong MP Wong Tack is contesting as an independent against former DAP comrade Young Syefura Othman and former MCA president Liow Tiong Lai, who will be hoping for a split in the opposition votes. PN’s Roslan Hassan and independent candidate Achik Khalil are also contesting the seat, which has an almost equal number of Malay and Chinese voters.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
PUTRAJAYA
BN heavyweight Tengku Adnan Mansor will be defending the Putrajaya seat for the fifth time in a six-cornered fight. The contenders for the constituency, which has a large number of civil servants, include senior minister of education Radzi Jidin of PN, PH’s Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz, Pejuang’s Rosli Ramli and two independents.
Analysts’s prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: BN.
BN heavyweight Tengku Adnan Mansor will be defending the Putrajaya seat for the fifth time in a six-cornered fight. The contenders for the constituency, which has a large number of civil servants, include senior minister of education Radzi Jidin of PN, PH’s Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz, Pejuang’s Rosli Ramli and two independents.
Analysts’s prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: BN.
PENAMPANG
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking faces a tough battle to retain the seat for a third term against PH’s Ewon Benedick, the incoming Upko president. The Kadazan Dusun-majority seat has never stayed with one MP for more than two terms. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Kenny Chua and independent candidate Richard Jimmy are also contesting the seat.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: Warisan.
Oh: 50-50 between PH and Warisan.
Awang Azman: Warisan.
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking faces a tough battle to retain the seat for a third term against PH’s Ewon Benedick, the incoming Upko president. The Kadazan Dusun-majority seat has never stayed with one MP for more than two terms. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Kenny Chua and independent candidate Richard Jimmy are also contesting the seat.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: Warisan.
Oh: 50-50 between PH and Warisan.
Awang Azman: Warisan.
KUALA SELANGOR
Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad changed his mind about defending the seat he won in GE14 with an over 8,000-vote majority after BN fielded finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz. They face PN’s Noor Mohd Shahar and Pejuang’s Shaid Rosli.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: BN.
Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad changed his mind about defending the seat he won in GE14 with an over 8,000-vote majority after BN fielded finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz. They face PN’s Noor Mohd Shahar and Pejuang’s Shaid Rosli.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Oh: PH.
Awang Azman: BN.
REMBAU
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who has become a key player in federal politics since GE14, is contesting in his first parliamentary election. The seat is a BN stronghold but Mohamad faces a crowded battle against PN’s Nazree Yunus, PH’s Jufitri Joha, Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s S Tinagaran and Pejuang’s Ramly Awalluddin.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: BN.
Awang Azman: BN.
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who has become a key player in federal politics since GE14, is contesting in his first parliamentary election. The seat is a BN stronghold but Mohamad faces a crowded battle against PN’s Nazree Yunus, PH’s Jufitri Joha, Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s S Tinagaran and Pejuang’s Ramly Awalluddin.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: BN.
Awang Azman: BN.
SUNGAI SIPUT
MIC president SA Vigneswaran is looking to be the third party leader to serve as Sungai Siput MP, after VT Sambanthan and S Samy Vellu. PH’s S Kesavan is looking to defend the seat he won in GE14. They face five other candidates comprising PN’s G Irudianathan, Pejuang’s Ahmad Fauzi Jaafar, and three independents.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
MIC president SA Vigneswaran is looking to be the third party leader to serve as Sungai Siput MP, after VT Sambanthan and S Samy Vellu. PH’s S Kesavan is looking to defend the seat he won in GE14. They face five other candidates comprising PN’s G Irudianathan, Pejuang’s Ahmad Fauzi Jaafar, and three independents.
Analysts’ prediction:
Azmi: BN.
Oh: 50-50 between BN and PH.
Awang Azman: PH.
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