31-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) On August 12, citizens in Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, and Penang will head to the ballot boxes for the state polls, where more than 9.7 million Malaysians are expected to cast their votes. The Election Commission (EC) has accepted a total of 570 candidates vying for the 245 state seats, making this election closely watched.
The political landscape is set with Pakatan Harapan (PH) fielding 138 candidates, Barisan Nasional (BN) with 108 candidates, Perikatan Nasional (PN) with 168 candidates, and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) with 19 candidates, as announced by EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh on Saturday (Jul 29). The unity government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, aims to retain the states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang, while the opposition PN coalition seeks to maintain its hold in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.
Despite not directly impacting the federal government, observers view the upcoming state polls as the first significant electoral test for Mr. Anwar’s unity government. The results will be closely analyzed for any implications on the federal level.
The candidate nominations were officially announced after the nomination period closed on Saturday. Let’s take a closer look at some key face-offs across the six states ahead of the voting day.
Selangor, the richest state in Malaysia, will see caretaker Chief Minister Amirudin Shari defending his Sungai Tua seat in Gombak in a three-cornered fight. Mr. Amirudin, from PH component party Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), faces opposition from PN candidate Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin and independent candidate G Suman. Selangor has 56 state seats, and a simple majority of 29 seats is needed to rule.
Selangor’s outcome will be closely watched as its success in retaining the state since 2008 may have ramifications for Mr. Anwar’s administration at the federal level. PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has expressed confidence in capturing Selangor if 90% of Malay voters cast their ballots in favor.
In another face-off, Selangor PN chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali returns to contest the Hulu Kelang seat after a “momentary pause” in politics in February. He will face PH’s Juwairiya Zulkifli, the deputy chief of PKR women’s wing.
In Negeri Sembilan, the state polls will see two ministers, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan, contesting for spots in the state assembly. Mr. Loke will defend his Chennah seat against PN’s Rosmadi Arif, while Mr. Mohamad Hasan will defend his Rantau seat against PN’s Rozmal Malakan.
Kedah sees caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor leading the charge, defending the Jeneri seat against Sik UMNO division chief Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim.
In Terengganu and Kelantan, the BN-PH alliance faces a tough fight, especially in Terengganu, referred to as a “swing state” by UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Meanwhile, Kelantan, a traditional PAS stronghold, remains a formidable battleground for BN-PH.
