Nostalgia alone won’t help KJ win Kepala Batas, say analysts

Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is rumoured to be returning to Umno, was fielded in Sungai Buloh in the 15th general election in November 2022.

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin will need to offer voters something new and relevant if he hopes to defeat PAS in Kepala Batas, where he is rumoured to be fielded in the 16th general election (GE16) after he rejoins Umno, say political analysts.

Syaza Shukri and Ariff Aizuddin Azlan said Khairy will face an uphill battle in the contest for the parliamentary seat if he does not have a clear strategy in place.

Syaza, from International Islamic University Malaysia, told FMT that the nostalgic link between the seat and Khairy’s father-in-law, former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, may no longer be enough to draw significant voter support.

“Although Kepala Batas was once an Umno stronghold, the political landscape has changed since PAS captured the seat in the last general election.

Syaza Shukri.

“PAS also controls two of the three state seats in Kepala Batas, namely Pinang Tunggal and Penaga, having won them with comfortable majorities,” she said.

In the last general election (GE15) in November 2022, Siti Mastura Muhammad of PAS defeated Umno Supreme Council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican by a majority of 2,867 votes to capture the Kepala Batas seat.

“If Khairy contests in Kepala Batas, he will have to offer something more dynamic than mere nostalgia or the symbolism of the Abdullah family connection.

“Voters today are looking toward the future. If Perikatan Nasional (PN) remains their preferred choice, Khairy cannot rely solely on his name or family legacy,” Syaza said.

She cited Nurul Izzah Anwar’s defeat in Permatang Pauh, a seat long associated with her father Anwar Ibrahim, in GE15 as evidence that political heritage alone no longer guarantees victory in today’s political climate.

Her comments follow reports that Khairy, the former Rembau MP, could be considered to contest in Kepala Batas should he return to Umno.

The former Umno Youth chief was expelled from the party in January 2023 over allegations he had sabotaged the party during GE15.

Syaza said that if Kepala Batas is not the right fit, Barisan Nasional (BN) could consider fielding Khairy in an urban seat, similar to Sungai Buloh, where he contested in GE15.

“Khairy has strong appeal among urban voters who value modern, capable, and pragmatic leadership. Although he lost in Sungai Buloh, Pakatan Harapan’s majority dropped sharply due to his effective campaign strategy,” she said.

In GE15, Khairy lost in Sungai Buloh to Pakatan Harapan’s R Ramanan by 2,693 votes, compared with the coalition’s previous majority of over 26,000 votes.

Ariff Aizuddin Azlan.

Ariff, from Universiti Teknologi Mara, said that if Khairy is serious about reclaiming Kepala Batas, he must craft a political narrative that resonates with voters who are young and fence-sitters.

“The dominance of PAS and PN’s narratives in areas like Kepala Batas is strong. Khairy needs to project a fresh message rather than rely on Umno’s old influence or family connections,” Ariff said.

He added that this effort requires consistent communication, grassroots engagement, and positioning Khairy as a reformist figure within Umno.

“If Khairy can emerge as the face of renewal, he could create the momentum needed to reclaim the seat. Otherwise, the path ahead will remain difficult,” he said.