Pakatan Harapan (PH) lacked a clear campaign strategy during the Johor state election, particularly on social media platforms, according to former Amanah MP Hanipa Maidin.
Hanipa said the coalition’s campaign approach appeared disorganised and lacked a strong, unified direction throughout the election period.
In a statement, the former Sepang MP claimed PH also allowed various individuals to campaign on its behalf without carefully considering whether their public image could affect the coalition’s standing with voters.
“The main qualification appeared to be the ability to deliver speeches, but an election is not simply a debate platform for politicians to win arguments,” he said.
Hanipa also criticised PH’s reliance on traditional campaign methods, including large-scale ceramah sessions, which he claimed often attracted supporters and political visitors rather than local voters.
He said while such events appeared successful due to large crowds and public enthusiasm, they may have created a false impression of strong grassroots support.
According to him, PH also failed to effectively address the narrative surrounding alleged unfulfilled promises, which became a disadvantage during the election.
Meanwhile, Hanipa praised Barisan Nasional (BN) for its election strategy, particularly in promoting Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the coalition’s main figure during the campaign.
He said BN’s decision to highlight Onn Hafiz’s local popularity played a major role in strengthening the party’s appeal among voters.
BN secured a landslide victory in the Johor election, winning 48 out of the 56 state seats contested, while PH managed to secure only eight seats.
