PH-BN downfall in Terengganu due to 'big brother' approach, says Raja Bahrin
KUALA TERENGGANU - Terengganu Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad expressed disappointment as the PH-Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition faced defeat, failing to secure any seats in the state assembly.
He said he was not surprised with the results due to the 'big brother' attitude displayed by BN on seat allocation among coalition partners in several state assemblies in the state.
He said the misjudgment resulted in the coalition losing opportunities to capture seats where PH had an advantage and potential.
"Many have asked why BN-PH coalition failed to clinch even a seat in the Terengganu state elections.
"Despite being a Pas stronghold, well-planned strategies could have won us some seats.
"By achieving a good strategy, the dominant 'big brother' attitude needs to be set aside and there should be an open acceptance of the strengths of new or relatively smaller coalition partners," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday's Terengganu state elections and the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election made history as all PN candidates won 32 contested state seats, including one parliamentary seat.
Elaborating further, Raja Bahrin said that BN should acknowledge the specific strengths of its coalition partners in dealing with urban and mixed electorate areas.
He explained that PH's advantage lies in urban areas with mixed voters.
"The initial concept generally agreed upon in the early stages was not fully implemented.
"Mixed seats like the Bandar (Kuala Terengganu) and Cukai (Kemaman) seats with urban and mixed voters were not given to PH component parties like Amanah and PKR.
"This significant mistake caused us to miss opportunities to win seats where PH had an advantage," he stated.
Citing an example of the urban and mixed state assembly seat at Kota Lama in Kelantan, he said PH candidate from Amanah successfully clinched success in Pas dominant state over 30 years.
He said even though Dr Hafidzah Mustakim was not from Kelantan, a well executed strategy allowed PH to win the Kota Bharu seat.
"If a similar strategy had been employed in Kuala Terengganu, we could have achieved the same success."
He said the era of the 'big brother' attitude has long passed and such a mentality needs to be eradicated to progress.
"A more inclusive and respectful attitude is needed to move forward rather than employing the 'big brother' approach," he added.
