Azmi Hassan and Mazlan Ali agreed that a continued strong partnership between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) heading into GE16 could significantly boost Asyraf’s chances of wresting the seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Describing GE16 as a “make-or-break” contest for the former Umno Youth chief, Mazlan said Asyraf’s reputation as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman and an approachable technocrat had helped boost his standing.
“Asyraf’s reputation to reclaim Gerik is at its best right now. He’s a technocrat who has brought positive change to Mara and is very close to students,” the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic told FMT.
He said the most crucial factor would be sustained BN-PH cooperation, ensuring that supporters from both parties rally behind Asyraf.
“In GE15, he lost in a three-cornered fight… but if BN and PH work together this time, I believe he stands a real chance of winning,” he said, referring to the last election in which PN’s Fathul Huzir Ayob won the Gerik seat in Perak with a 1,377-vote majority.
Fathul had secured 15,105 votes, followed by Asyraf with 13,728 and PH’s Tarmizi Jam with 5,779.
Asyraf, a former deputy minister, contested Tumpat in 2008 but lost. He suffered another defeat in Pasir Puteh a decade later before moving on to contest the seat of Gerik.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced earlier this week that Asyraf would once again be fielded in Gerik, a seat long considered an Umno stronghold before GE15.
Azmi of Akademi Nusantara said that Asyraf would need to win the trust of local voters who remained cautious about “outsider” candidates – a sentiment that has persisted from the last election.
“The people of Gerik want to see him on the ground more often, not just during the campaign period. That’s the real test if he wants to avoid a fourth defeat,” Azmi said.
He added that Umno’s early announcement of Asyraf’s candidacy was a strategic move to strengthen preparations and send the message that the party was once again fielding credible and forward-looking candidates in key constituencies.
“This is Asyraf’s chance to prove that he’s not just a technocrat, but also a grassroots politician who can understand and connect with rural voters,” he said.