'Big brother' stance caused T'ganu trouncing: Raja Bahrin

A prevalent ‘big brother’ attitude led to the crushing defeat of the Pakatan Harapan-BN pact in the Terengganu polls, said the state Harapan chairperson.

In a media statement today, Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah said despite Terengganu being a PAS stronghold, the Madani pact could have won a few of the 32 state seats if there had been proper strategy and planning.

“In order to achieve good strategy, there is a need to set aside the dominating ‘big brother’ attitude and be open-minded in accepting an ally’s certain advantages,” he said.

He then gave an analogy of a big hospital with many doctors who may not be the best at treating a specific ailment, while a small medical centre may have the specialist to treat that condition.

“Here, there is a need to acknowledge the certain strengths of coalition allies for rural voters as well as mixed constituencies and not to practice a ‘big brother’ attitude.

“Harapan’s strength is in urban constituencies that also happen to have mixed voters.

“This principle concept had been agreed to in general, initially, but unfortunately was not implemented, and mixed seats such as state constituencies in towns (Kuala Terengganu) and Chukai (Kemaman) which have urban voters and are mixed were not given to Harapan components Amanah or PKR.

“This is a major mistake and we have lost the opportunity to clinch these seats where Harapan has an advantage,” he said.

Could have won more seats

Raja Bahrin gave the example of the mixed urban state seat of Kota Lama where the Harapan candidate from Amanah, Hafidzah Mustakim, successfully won.

He pointed out that she won in a state that PAS has dominated for over 30 years, and also despite not being Kelantanese.

“With good strategising, Harapan could win seats in Kota Bharu, and if the same had been done in Kuala Terengganu, then it would not have been impossible to achieve the same victory.

“The era of ‘big brother’ is long gone and this mentality needs to be excised if we wish to progress. I was not much surprised by the state election outcome in Terengganu, but I was very disappointed.

“A more inclusive approach, as well as mutual respect among ourselves, and not a ‘big brother’ attitude needs to be fostered among the Harapan-BN coalition in Terengganu,” Raja Bahrin said.

In the state election concluded yesterday, PN made a clean sweep of all 32 state seats in Terengganu.

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