PKR’s Kelantan membership boost won’t rattle PAS, say analysts

PKR leaders at the 2023 national congress. Analyst Azmil Tayeb says the new PKR members in Kelantan are unlikely to be an indication of a broader shift in voter allegiance towards the party.

PETALING JAYA: Analysts have played down the odds that a reported increase in PKR members in Kelantan will disrupt PAS’s influence in the state.

Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it was difficult to see PKR, a Pakatan Harapan component party, mounting a serious challenge to PAS’s rule in Kelantan.

“PKR’s growing influence in Kelantan is negligible,” he told FMT.

“PAS is deeply entrenched and highly organised, especially in the mosques. Plus, the party is well organised at reaching out to voters.

“The new members are probably disenchanted Umno supporters, rather than an indication of a broader shift in voter allegiance towards PKR,” he said.

According to PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Kelantan has reported the second-highest increase in new members by state since June 2023.

Saifuddin said that as of March 21, the number of PKR members in the state had risen by 2,027, bringing the total to 60,356.

By comparison, a 2023 Harakah Daily report claimed there were more than 100,000 PAS members in Kelantan.

Azmil said that during the last two elections in Kelantan, PAS had been dominant with PKR displaying only a minimal presence on the ground.

With PAS as its ally between 1999 and 2013, PKR managed to secure several parliamentary and state seats in Kelantan.

However, since the 14th general election in May 2018, PKR has not secured a single seat in the state.

However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PKR’s position within the ruling coalition would add to its appeal to new members, setting it apart from other parties.

“These members in Kelantan need something to cling to. Previously, they might have supported Umno, but now PKR appears more appealing (even) than Amanah, especially given PKR’s role in the federal government,” he said.