COMMENTARY, Nov 8 — The battle for Perak began officially three days ago but the ground has yet to see any “real engagement” between warring parties as candidates have been cautious not to offend voters.
Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) offensive campaign led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is focused on winning over Malay minds and defending DAP.
Even though it is multiracial, DAP is seen by Malay voters in the majority of suburban seats as being Chinese.
Voters see the political battle in Perak as 50-50 between Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH but they seem to feel that BN may win the state with the Opposition winning a few Parliament seats to prevent BN’s clean sweep.
Anwar has hit the ground running and is not hiding his intention to lead the nation as prime minister.
Tambun is his launching pad and as of now, it looks like he will emerge the victor as incumbent Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu seems to be lagging behind him.
Faizal, who is better known as Peja, is fighting hard with a campaign laced with humour, particularly on billboards.
In Bagan Datuk, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will romp home easily as his challengers PKR candidate Datuk Shamsul Iskandar is considered an outsider and a political lightweight, while Independent Tawfik Tun Dr Ismail is not considered as a politician.
The situation in Perak is still fluid but PH is said to have 18 while BN has 29 of the total 59 state seats.
