KUALA MUDA: Barisan Nasional (BN) must overhaul its strategy to challenge Perikatan Nasional's (PN) stronghold in Kedah if it hopes to reclaim the state in the 16th General Election (GE16), political experts say.
Universiti Utara Malaysia international affairs and political analyst Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani urged BN to move away from personal attacks on PN leaders and focus on addressing public concerns.
He suggested forming a shadow state executive council to highlight PN's governance shortcomings.
"There must be a shadow executive council or cabinet to act as a check and balance against PN. Right now, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN are directing their attacks mainly at (Kedah Menteri Besar) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
"BN needs to redirect these efforts towards key issues because it is evident that the Kedah government is underperforming due to its lack of experience.
"BN and PH, with their experience, can demonstrate that they are better equipped to lead with support from the Unity Government. They must use this as a strategy to offer an alternative to the current administration. Otherwise, regaining the state will remain a challenge," he said during a BN's Recalibration of Kedah Town Hall session here today.
Azizuddin also stressed the importance of BN-PH cooperation in the lead-up to GE16, particularly in light of the possibility of a hung parliament.
"PN currently has the edge. However, data from about 600 voting sets indicates that the Unity Government's collaboration in Kedah has potential. Around 386 support this cooperation, 126 oppose it, and 80 remain undecided.
"With a well-executed strategy, BN and PH could regain the state. To achieve this, they must act together, especially if another general election results in a hung parliament," he added.
Sunway University political scientist Prof Dr Wong Chin Huat echoed the call for cooperation while urging BN to retain its distinct identity.
"PH and BN need to collaborate, but BN must preserve its own brand. If BN becomes indistinguishable, voters may lose sight of what it offers as an alternative because they don't know.
"This competition should remain healthy and must not allow PN to exploit any divisions," Wong said.
Wong also called for the inclusion of fresh faces in politics to appeal to younger voters, warning that future leaders may choose PH or PN if BN fails to provide opportunities.
"New talent is not getting the chance to showcase their abilities to voters. Many may migrate to PN or PH instead. This could become a serious issue.
"BN must include younger candidates, as more than 60 per cent of voters are under 40. Their life experiences differ from older generations, and without young candidates, it will be hard to capture their interest," he added.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia's Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian highlighted the need for BN to counter PN's entrenched 3Ps strategy - 'Pondok, Padi, and Pas'.
"PN has capitalised on the 3Ps approach. Where there is padi (padi fields), there is pondok (religious schools), and where there is pondok, there is Pas.
"To counter this, BN must employ its own 3Bs strategy—'Beras (Rice), Balai Bakti (Service Centres) and BN'. For example, wherever there is padi, BN should offer rice and community service. This approach must align with the party's core values," he added.
Sivamurugan also urged BN to tackle PN's dominance on social media, which he said relies heavily on perception politics rather than facts.
"Independent preachers tend to lean towards Pas, while NGOs that were once allies now appear divided. Nationalist sentiments, such as the Kedah-Penang dispute, are also manipulated based on perceptions rather than historical context.