PAS-Bersatu rift may deny Sanusi ‘clean sweep’ in Kedah, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor’s claim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) can pull off a clean sweep of all 36 seats in the next state election may be undermined by the ongoing PAS-Bersatu rift.

Last week, PAS severed ties with Bersatu, accusing the party of being power-hungry and neglecting Malay-Muslim unity. In response, Bersatu vowed to go all out against PAS in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said that while PAS remains the dominant political force in Kedah, the party’s ongoing tensions with Bersatu could damage PN’s image as a cohesive coalition.

He warned that the conflict could result in overlapping candidacies, leave voters confused, and may see PN lose Bersatu’s support in some constituencies.

Awang Azman said a clean sweep would hinge on sustained voter support, weak opponents, and strong party machinery, with no internal divisions arising within the coalition.

However, he said a more realistic outcome in Kedah would see PAS and PN retaining their dominance, with the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance focused on chipping away at the coalition’s overwhelming majority.

“There is a basis for Sanusi’s claim, but achieving a 36-0 result will be very difficult,” he said.

He noted that PN’s 2023 performance had given Sanusi considerable political capital, with PAS winning all 21 seats it contested, Bersatu securing 11, and Gerakan one.

Last Friday, Sanusi said he was confident PN could secure all 36 seats in Kedah at the next state election. In 2023, PN won 33 seats, while PH took the remaining three.

To achieve a clean sweep, PN would need to capture the PH-held seats of Sidam, Bakar Arang and Kota Darul Aman, which remained in opposition hands after the 2023 state election.

Asia Group associate vice-president Asrul Sani said the political landscape has changed since 2023, with PN no longer operating with the same degree of unity.

He said PAS-Bersatu tensions and the emergence of Wawasan could affect candidate selection, machinery coordination and even increase the risk of internal sabotage.

Asrul said PN’s 2023 victory was driven in part by the ‘green wave’ and anti-Umno protest votes channelled through Bersatu, although PAS remained the coalition’s main electoral force.

“Without PAS’s machinery, the wave would not have translated into seats as effectively,” he said.

Asrul said another strong PN victory remained the most likely outcome, although a 36-0 sweep was “possible, not inevitable”.