Political analysts say that the PAS performance in the 2022 general election was a strong indicator of what is to come for Kelantan and Terengganu. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

As unity government parties brace for a “green wave”, there is no doubt that Perikatan Nasional will secure a clean sweep in Kelantan and Terengganu at the Aug 12 state assembly elections, according to observers.

Political analyst Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the voting pattern in the 2022 parliamentary elections was an indication that PAS would come out victorious in Kelantan and Terengganu.

“The odds are very good because PAS is very strong in the region. I would say PAS will retain (power) in both states,” he told FMT.

In 2018, PAS clinched 37 state assembly seats in Kelantan, with Barisan Nasional taking the remaining eight. In Terengganu, PAS won 22 seats compared to BN’s 10.

At the parliamentary elections, it was a sea of green as PAS took every seat in the two states, 14 in Kelantan and eight in Terengganu.

BN’s chances of clinching a few seats in the two states are problematic in Malay-majority areas because it has aligned itself with Pakatan Harapan.

“The problem is PH has very little influence in Terengganu and Kelantan. Perhaps, the exception is for constituencies that have a high proportion of non-Malay voters,” he said, citing constituencies in Kelantan like Kota Lama, with 38% Chinese voters.

Previously in Kota Lama, BN put forward candidates from MCA to no avail. The state seat has been held by Anuar Tan Abdullah of PAS for the past five years.

Azmi said BN-PH cooperation would be taken positively by voters in Kuala Besut, Hulu Besut and Jertih, Terengganu.

These seats have been a BN stronghold but, in the last state election, Umno only won the Kuala Besut seat with a slim majority of 143 votes over PAS.

Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said BN has a fighting chance in a handful of state seats in Kelantan’s Gua Musang, Jeli and Tanah Merah, as well as Terengganu’s Kemaman and Dungun parliamentary districts.

“However, BN’s chances have diminished and PH barely has a presence in these two states,” he said.

On Thursday, Kelantan PN deputy chairman II Amar Nik Abdullah said the coalition is aiming for a clean sweep in the state since GE15 results proved such a goal was possible.

PAS will contest the lion’s share of seats in the two states: 39 in Kelantan and 28 in Terengganu. Bersatu will contest the remaining six and four seats respectively.

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Clean sweep expected for PAS in Kelantan, Terengganu

There may be a glimmer of hope for a clutch of BN seats, but experts say they have little doubt about the Islamic party’s grip on the region.