Analysts believe that PKR‘s odds of capturing Kelantan are slim, given PAS‘s dominance in the state over the past 35 years, during which it has become deeply ingrained in local culture.
Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said while opportunities for PKR to take Kelantan might arise in the event of a major split within PAS, PKR must first build a more inclusive narrative that aligns with Islamic values and local culture.
He also said PKR’s ambition to take over Kelantan would require consistent hard work and political investment.
“Kelantan is not just a PAS stronghold, but a symbol of the party’s ideology and identity which dates back to the era of former menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and continues to the present leadership.
“PAS’s influence extends beyond politics – it includes culture, Islamic education, and social networks that are deeply rooted in the local community,” he told FMT.
Former PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail recently said that PKR had the potential to win Kelantan.
Wan Azizah, the chairman of the PKR advisory council, said the party’s strong internal cooperation was attracting more people to its cause.
Describing Wan Azizah’s view as overly optimistic, Awang Azman said Kelantan voters tend to support PAS and Perikatan Nasional as they had successfully crafted an Islamic narrative that resonates with grassroots sentiments while projecting a “clean politics” image.
He said PAS’s machinery was far more organised and rooted in local mosques, prayer halls, religious schools, and Islamic NGOs, in contrast to PKR whose strength lay mainly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara agreed, saying it would be difficult for PKR, as a multiracial party, to gain the support of voters in Kelantan where the population is predominantly Malay.
“It’s almost impossible for PKR or Pakatan Harapan (PH) to compete with the stability of the SG4 states (Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah) if they go it alone.
“But if PH and Umno can forge the right kind of cooperation, there might be a chance,” he said.
