Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi said the lack of a united front in the opposition was apparent, with Pakatan Harapan set to go up against Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pejuang in 42 seats and Shafie Apdal’s Warisan in six seats.

Even the Anwar Ibrahim-led PKR will be clashing with Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s Muda in Larkin, after seat negotiations between the two allies broke down.

Awang Azman told FMT that BN was able to unite for the polls because the factions that opposed coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his predecessor, Najib Razak, could see the massive influence both had on the grassroots.

“Their attempts to get rid of them have failed so far. If they continue to undermine Najib and Zahid, they will be rejected by the Umno grassroots. In fact, there’s no guarantee that they will be nominated as Umno candidates in GE15.

“Even MIC president SA Vigneswaran, who had called for a new leader to take over from Zahid as BN chairman in the past, has been quiet,” he said.

On the other hand, he added, it looked like PH and the other opposition parties would only be able to offer Johoreans a united front after the elections.

Awang Azman said BN’s narrative of “Stability for the Future” was aimed at convincing voters that political stability would ensure the state would progress smoothly, thanks to a stronger majority in the state assembly.