Research findings by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) which favour Jerlun incumbent Mukhriz Mahathir as the BN menteri besar candidate for Kedah may not necessarily reflect ground sentiments, PAS said.

Husam musa at forum political party transformation Cabaran Transformasi Parti Politik Vice-president Husam Musa explained that this is because research findings can at times be used to forward the agenda of certain quarters.

"In Indonesia, (it was) predicted that (Jakarta governor) Jokowi could not win up until the last day, because some research houses were paid,” he said when fielding questions at a press conference.

"I'm not saying that UKM is being paid (to promote one side over the other) but research findings are not necessarily very sharp.”

Malaysiakini had reported that the survey conducted between January to March in Kedah, Selangor, Penang and Kelantan had found that signalling Mukhriz as a candidate for MB would sway fence-sitters who make up about 30 percent of the electorate in Kedah.

The findings will be presented in full later this month, but UKM political scientist Samsu Adabi Mamat said that putting forth Mukhriz is a good strategy for BN.

This is becauses there seems to be a "shortage" of good candidates in Kedah PAS to take over from caretaker Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, who has health problems.

Pakatan Rakyat won 20 seats in Kedah in 2008, giving it simple majority over BN, which took 14 seats. Two state constituencies are under Independents.

'Silent vote from civil servants'

Asked about his chances in the Putrajaya parliamentary constituency, Husam said that research by Merdeka Centre has found that the incumbent and Umno secretary general Tengku Adnan Mansor has a 60 percent chance of retaining his seat.

"I believe the odds are 45 percent to me, 55 percent for Tengku Adnan," said Husam, who is also part of the Kelantan caretaker exco.

NONE While the BN has yet to announce its candidate, Husam said that he believes Tengku Adnan (right) "will not chicken out" from facing him in the nation's administrative capital.

"Tengku Adnan has worked very hard and invested a lot of time and energy in Putrajaya, so I don't think he'll chicken out simply because I'm contesting there,” said Husam.

"It's an uphill battle (but) it is not impossible at all. (My contesting there) is a show of confidence for change.”

Civil servants who make up the overwhelming majority of voters in Putrajaya have silently gained greater appreciation for national issues and the push for change, he said, although they may not be able to show this explicitly.

"So what I expect (is that) civil servants (will) silently vote for Pakatan," he said.

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