KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today said he believes that the federal government coalition will come out strong in Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led states such as Kedah and Terengganu in the impending state election.
Speaking to reporters after attending the launching of the Armed Forces Education Carnival, the man known as Tok Mat said that the ruling coalition might have a chance to form state governments in those two states with the right strategy.
“I have already gone to meet, discuss and see that their spirit to win is there, we hope that we can continue to win until the last day, then win or lose, we leave it.
“But there is a chance to win in Kedah and Terengganu. In Kelantan, we can add seats if we are determined to win in our respective areas. It is up to the local leaders to make sure that the seats that have been lost for us to win,” he said during the press conference at Defence Ministry headquarters here.
However, he said that the game has yet to be played and stressed that it is important to have the right strategy to get good results in the upcoming state election.
He also said that despite the drubbing in the last general election (GE15), the state elections will be the stage for the coalition to make a strong impression.
“So don’t think we’ve already lost the three states Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu. Don't think we have no chance.
“As an underdog entering the state election, we will do our best, the machinery will do its job,” he added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that he is confident of the unity government parties capturing two PAS-held states in the upcoming polls.
He however declined to specify if he meant Kedah, Terengganu or Kelantan, which are all led by PAS-helmed caretaker state governments currently following the dissolution of their state assemblies.
He added that studies conducted by his team had indicated that Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan would be retained by Pakatan Harapan now that the public had accepted the coalition’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN).
PN holds 20 out of 36 seats in Kedah, 23 out of 33 in Terengganu, and 37 out of 44 in Kelantan.
