Headline Can Umno retain state in general election MediaTitle Borneo Post (KK) Date 24 Nov 2016 Language English Circulation 89,224 Readership 267,672 Section Home Color Black/white Page No 11 ArticleSize 335 cm² AdValue RM 934 PR Value RM 2,802

Can Kedah Umno retain state in general election? : All political president Tan Sri Muhyiddin who were still Umno members, parties are now geared towards Yassin. supporting them in silence. preparing for the 14th general Prior to that, on Feb 3, Mukhriz Director of the Centre for election, which many expect will stepped down as Kedah Menteri Malaysian Political Studies, be held next year. Besar and was replaced by Kedah Universiti Utara , Dr Many also expect the coming Umno deputy liaison chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Yusoff also said election to be more challenging Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, the Kedah Umno should not look than the 13th general election, a leadership change which led to down on the capabilities of the which was held in May 2013. a political crisis in the state. opposition. In Kedah, for example, the The opposition has been taking "What we are worried about is menteri besar crisis early this advantage of the situation and the support of the young people year could either be a stumbling claimed that BN would fall in the for Umno, which need serious block or just a storm in the cup coming general election. attention on how to get back their for the (BN) The prediction by the support for the party," he added. state government. opposition is not a problem, Kamarul Zaman said the votes BN won 21 of the 36 state seats but what is important is how from these young people and the in the 13th general election, while prepared is Kedah Umno to fence­sitters could determine the remaining seats were won by face the challenges in ensuring Umno's fate in the next general PAS (nine), PKR (four) and DAP the state government remains election. (two). strong. He said Ahmad Bashah, since Ahmad Bashah, who underwent There are 15 parliamentary appointed the menteri besar, was seats in Kedah, with 10 under BN, minor surgery over an intestinal not involved in personal issues, PKR (four) and PAS (one). complication, has now recovered which was good for the party as and continues to steer the state In the 13th general election, voters would want a 'clean man' much of BN and Umno's win leadership, as well as counter as a leader. was influenced by the role attacks from the opposition. "National issues can also played by former prime minister Recently, when opening the infuence the local political Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Kedah Umno Convention, he said scenario and because of that His influence enabled BN to Kedah Umno was determined the state leadership also has wrest back the state from the to ensure a two­thirds win for to resolve issues which are opposition. the party in the coming general considered national issues," he His son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, election. added. was appointed the Kedah Menteri To realise that, he said the He also welcomed the Barakah Besar, a promise by BN if the focus would be on enhancing programme introduced by the coalition was able to wrest back party solidarity and election Kedah government to help the the state. machinery. poor, especially farmers, as it Mukhriz won the Ayer Hitam Commenting the matter, head give the state government a good state seat, considered a PAS of the Political, Security and image. stronghold, with a majority of International Affairs Cluster, "Do not play down people's more than 2,000 votes. National Council of Professors, issues. Be their hero and help That was the story then, as Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa them because this will be Mukhriz is now no more in the Ishak said Kedah Umno should translated into votes in the same boat with BN. focus on PPBM and to not look general election," he added. He is now with Parti Pribumi down on the new party. As such, he said the coming Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), having This, he said, was because two Umno general assembly should joined the party after being former key Umno leaders from find ways to address the people's expelled from Umno last June, Kedah were now in PPBM and problems and for Umno to remain together with then Umno deputy the possibility of their followers, relevant. ­ Bernama