Pick a side: Flags and banners put up for the upcoming state polls along Jalan Tanah Liat at Kubang Semang, Bukit Mertajam. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang has a Green Agenda, complete with a Green Council.
But the green that seems to be sweeping through the mainland side of the state has nothing to do with that.
Instead, it is the PAS – and the larger Perikatan Nasional – influence that is growing in the Malay heartland across the channel from the island. Much of it is attributed to caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is known for his oratory skills in reaching out to the ordinary rural folk.
“Everyone is looking at (Muhammad) Sanusi. Because of Sanusi, we are getting support. He has his attractions, including among the young generation,” said Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, also from PAS.
“Right now, we are seeing even better support than during GE15. Now is the Perikatan wave,” he added.
Muhammad Sanusi’s message is also being spread wide, particularly engaging the younger generation.
Muhammad Fawwaz, a Muslim preacher, was largely unknown and ignored by the media in the 15th General Election (GE15) last November.
However, he triumphed against Pakatan Harapan’s Nurul Izzah Anwar with a 5,272 majority. He won 43.04% of the votes while the Prime Minister’s daughter managed 37.01%.
The Barisan Nasional candidate took 19.41% and the Pejuang candidate took 0.54%.
Many locals perceived the area as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s homestead because he grew up nearby and was Permatang Pauh MP for six terms.
Muhammad Fawwaz said Perikatan’s main strategy was to rely largely on social media.
“Many people are not at home, so when we do house-to-house visits, we can’t reach out to those who are at work.
“Social media allows us to send our messages loud and clear to them,” he said.
Walkabouts and ceramah sessions have also seen a dip.
Hawker Sazlynaa Ismail, 43, who has been trading along the main road in Permatang Pasir for 25 years, said she had yet to meet her area’s Perikatan candidate, al though she had updates on her phone.
She wants to tell the candidate that they need a community hall for their women’s group. “Our mosque is the only space we have for group activities.
“Candidates used to come visit us as there are around 500 villagers in Kampung Permatang Ara,” she lamented.
In Kampung Permatang Pasir, 54-year-old drinks seller Sabirah Muhd Tahrim said her children had been receiving updates of the election campaign on their phones.
“Three of my sons, aged 24 to 27, are all out of the village working during the day.
“I am here but my sons seem to know more about the candidates than I do,” said Sabirah, who would prefer the candidate to engage the locals.
Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik claimed that Perikatan supporters had been urging voters to download social media apps such as TikTok.
He said Pakatan candidates would stay with the old ways and continue to work hard and meet voters daily.
“Our candidates are in the public and meeting people. We share our vision and listen to the plight of the people,” he said.
Penang Bersatu chief Zulkifli Bakar was confident of their chances.
“Our critics say that we can only ‘dream’ of winning. Who would have thought that we could win in Permatang Pauh? It is not impossible for us to win more seats,” said Zulkifli, who is contesting in Penanti.
