Ph To Keep Simpang Jeram With Slim Majority Says Academic

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Nazri Abdul Rahman, the PH candidate in Simpang Jeram, scored 56.83% in a popularity poll conducted by a university researcher last week. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan will be able to retain the Simpang Jeram state seat in the by-election next Saturday, but with a slim majority, an academic said.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said based on research he conducted between Aug 29 and 31, a little over 50% of the 600 voters he met in the constituency would back the coalition’s candidate, Nazri Abdul Rahman.
Some 19.83% of respondents meanwhile said they would not vote for Nazri, who is deputy chief of Amanah’s Bakri division.
There are about 40,379 registered voters in the constituency.
“PH will win the seat with a slim majority, on the assumption that many of the outstation voters and young voters would support Perikatan Nasional,” he told FMT, adding that his research did not include outstation voters.
Mazlan Ali.Mazlan added that PH was currently the favourite to emerge victorious on polling day, Sept 9. He said voters were more familiar with Nazri compared to Dr Mazri Yahya of PN and independent candidate S Jeganathan.
Two other factors were in Nazri’s favour: the legacy left behind by the former assemblyman, the late Salahuddin Ayub, and the popularity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is PH chairman. Amanah is a member of PH.
In terms of popularity, Nazri won favour with 56.83% of those surveyed, followed by Mazri with 27% and Jeganathan (8%). Mazlan said Jeganathan is popular in a few urban areas and suburban areas as well as among the Indian community.
“And while he will lose in the polls, he could split the votes with his ability to secure between 1,500 and 1,800 votes.”
Mazlan also said 8.17% of the respondents meanwhile said they would boycott all three candidates.
He said 56.33% of respondents were in favour of the PH and Barisan Nasional alliance, compared to the 26.67% who were against it.
The Simpang Jeram seat and Pulai parliamentary seat fell vacant following Salahuddin’s death in July. - FMT

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