Blunder, unrealistic promises led to PN’s defeat in Nenggiri, says analyst

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia says the impact was so significant that it caused a clear drop in voter turnout of those supporting PN.

(FMT) – A major blunder by a top Perikatan Nasional leader and unrealistic promises were some of the reasons behind the coalition’s defeat in yesterday’s Nenggiri by-election, says a political analyst.

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said one significant misstep was the insinuation made by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin against the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“I think this greatly affected Malay voters who respect and are fond of the former Agong,” he told FMT, adding the impact was so pronounced that “those who would have voted for PN wouldn’t have come out to vote”.

Muhyiddin had allegedly made disrespectful remarks about Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in an election campaign speech, claiming he had the backing of 115 MPs after the 2022 general election and the Agong should have appointed him as the 10th prime minister.

Fauzi also said PN’s approach to addressing local issues in Nenggiri further contributed to its defeat.

“We must remember PN made some unrealistic promises, such as wanting to solve the land rights issue concerning South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) within 24 hours,” he said.

Throughout the campaign, PAS leaders had accused Kesedar of mishandling land issues and delaying land grants to residents.

However, Kesedar chairman Zawawi Othman refuted these claims, stating that the land transfer process was lengthy as they had to adhere to state government procedures.

An activist linked to Pakatan Harapan, Hisyamuddin Ghazali, said in his analysis that PAS’s agitation over land issues with Kesedar and Felcra did not sway voters.

“The positive efforts of Kesedar and Felcra, under the unity government, had effectively addressed settlers’ land claims and revitalised the agencies,” he said.

Last night, Barisan Nasional reclaimed the Nenggiri state seat when its candidate, Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, won with a majority of 3,352 votes in a straight fight against PN’s Rizwadi Ismail.