COMMENTARY, Aug 3 — The Opposition bloc of PAS-Perikatan Nasional (PN) is going all out to defend Kedah after claiming the state at the 15th general election (GE) seven months ago.

Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has also created an atmosphere of "political animosity” towards the government in order to sustain support as well as attract new supporters.

Last night marked its biggest gathering in the state with all the party leaders in attendance together with supporters from all the kampungs in the state.

Meanwhile, BN-PH has scheduled Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appearance tomorrow night in Baling which locals will see as a response to PAS’ show last night even though his event was planned weeks ago as part of his visit to every state to explain his Madani economic plans.

Kedah — as well as the other five states going to the polls on August 12 — is seeing a political clash between two different political concepts: Anwar’s politics of development against PAS-PN’s politics of Malay supremacy.

Voters below 40 years of age are attracted to PAS-PN’s concept while those older have the economy on their minds.

The fight at present boils down to how to rally support and win the state election as young voters are more attracted to fiery speeches laced with jokes which gives Sanusi an edge as all that talk about development just bores these youngsters.

Sanusi manages to make himself stand out in Kedah and among PAS members and supporters but the reality on the ground is many Kedahans do not regard him as an intelligent leader as he does not touch on the economy or the plight of the kampung people in his fiery speeches.

Many say Sanusi is merely a political animal rather than a well-rounded politician.

The old voters are interested in development that can ease their economic burdens but are their numbers sufficient to help Anwar’s government win the state? It is a question of minds and hearts and this is where loyalty to parties is an important element.

The burden is on BN to deliver the numbers and this worries even Umno leaders on the ground as the party is yet to fully recover from the internal fighting at grassroots level.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also been talking about — albeit more subtly — Malay supremacy.

As it stands now, PAS-PN seems to be leading but people on the street do not discount BN-PH catching up given there are still eight days to go before polling.