Umno will lose Melaka polls without PAS, analysts say
Analysts believe it will be difficult for Umno to win the upcoming state election in Melaka without PAS, following the Islamist party’s decision to contest the polls using the logo of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
(MalaysiaNow) – Martadha Mohamed of Universiti Utara Malaysia said three-way fights in Malay-majority areas would cause a split in votes, affecting both Umno and PN.
“This is clear because it already happened before during the 14th general election in 2018,” he told MalaysiaNow.
“Fights among PAS, Umno and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will benefit PH as the Malay vote will be split but the non-Malay support will go to PH.”
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had said on Monday that his party would contest the Melaka polls using PN’s logo, dealing a blow to Umno which had hoped to avoid clashes with the Islamist party come Nov 21.
Analyst James Chin of the University of Tasmania in Australia agreed that the current situation points to three-cornered fights at the state election but said this did not mean an easy win for PH.
“To an extent, PH is also divided as DAP is unhappy with Amanah,” he said, citing as well dissatisfaction with Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to accept the four state assemblymen whose withdrawal of support had triggered the Melaka polls.
