PETALING JAYA: Analysts have questioned the recent claim by Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Azmin Ali that the coalition is capable of winning 10 more seats at the next state election.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the voter demographics in several mixed constituencies would make it difficult for PN to gain ground.
He added that Azmin’s confidence could be based on data from the previous state election.
“If PN secures 7,000 votes in the constituencies it previously lost, it might have a chance of forming the state government.
“But in reality… PN’s chances in Selangor are slim,” he said.
Azmin had said in his speech at a Selangor Bersatu event that PN could take over the state government by winning 10 more seats.
PN currently holds 22 of the 56 seats in the Selangor state assembly.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said dissatisfaction among Umno members with the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan (BN–PH) alliance was a key factor in PN’s previous gains at the last state election in 2023.
He said about 20% of Umno voters shifted their support during that election as they were influenced by negative portrayals of DAP – especially in Malay-majority areas – which contributed to PN’s success.
“However, after more than two years, the unity government’s image has improved and public confidence has grown. Many Umno members who backed PN may now return to Umno,” he said.
“PN may win a few more seats, but likely not more than in the last election,” he added.
The PH-BN alliance lost ground to PN at the August 2023 state election, claiming victory in 34 seats – 32 of which were won by PH – compared to the 2018 election when PH won 51 of the 56 seats.
BN won four seats then, and PAS one.
