PN gets boost from MIC, Indian leaders as battle for Selangor intensifies

Buoyed by displays of public reception to its ceramahs as well as a string of pre-election surveys predicting its victory in Selangor, Perikatan Nasional (PN) has launched a campaign to boost support from non-Malays, especially the Indian community – a move that may tip the critical minority in the coalition's favour.

Selangor PN chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali on Sunday launched the PN Supporters Club Secretariat (Indians) for northern Selangor, to be headed by MIC Supreme Council member KR Parthiban.

Northern Selangor is where some of the toughest battles will be fought between the Pakatan Harapan-Umno alliance and PN, following the latter's major gains in the region in the general election last year.

It is understood that the secretariat is made up of MIC activists from Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, and Hulu Selangor.

"PN assures that Indians will have access to quality education and enjoy a fair and equitable share of the economic cake," said Azmin, who is leading the coalition's charge in Selangor.

Indians make up some 13% of Selangor's population and have in the past played a crucial role in bringing down Barisan Nasional's (BN) decades-long stranglehold on the state.

PH, in various forms, has ruled Selangor since 2008, when it toppled BN in the elections that year. This time, it will fight hand in hand with Umno, reflecting their newfound partnership at the federal level.

Yesterday, PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin spoke of increasing support from non-Malay voters for the coalition.

"This wave can be seen in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. Now, the same wave is evident in Selangor and is gaining momentum in Negeri Sembilan and Penang," Hamzah said.

Selangor is Malaysia's wealthiest state and, as such, is seen as the epicentre of the elections, which will see voters in Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu go to the polls on Aug 12 to choose their state governments.

With 56 seats up for grabs, a party must win at least 29 to form the state government.

Both PH and PN have claimed they could win the majority of the seats, with a PKR-linked think tank predicting almost a clean sweep.

But analysts and commentators have warned of the low transferability of votes between PH and Umno, seen as key to ensuring the success of the two partners.

Earlier this month, a survey published by ISEAS Perspective, a journal from the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, found that 39% of Malay voters who voted for BN in the polls last year said they would vote for PN in the Aug 12 state elections, while only 15% of them said they would vote for PH.