PAS' research centre has found that former Selangor exco Dr Hasan Ali's expulsion from the party had very little ripple effect.

According to its director of operations, Ahmad Zuhdi Marzuki, feedback garned from comments in news portals showed that 85 percent in Malaysiakini and 67 percent in Malaysian Insider are positive about Hasan's exit.

"Although the time frame was short and the method used simple, initial feedback based on comments in the two weblog on the impact of Hasan's support is minimal.

"Similarly, in Berita Semasa, there was 44 percent backing for the expulsion and another 49 percent against.

"In Youtube, according to PAS mouthpiece TVPAS 80 percent of the 273 viewers was positive about the expulsion. Looking at this, there is positive impact on Hasan's expulsion," he said.

Malay majority areas main concern

The centre, Ahmad Zuhdi said, has also interviewed 24 PAS division leaders and only nine felt the expulsion has had a negative impact, while the remaining 15 felt the effect was positive or none at all.

He said those fearing possible negative repercussions are Parit, Tampin, Alor Gajah, Mersing, Setiu, Besut, Arau, Jeli and Gua Musang divisions whilethe Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor divisions in Selangor saw little or no impact.

The most of the worry is focused rural areas like Gua Musang and Jeli or where the Malay population plays a dominant role in determining the outcome of an election such as in Alor Gajah, Tampin and Parit, he said.

anwar lembah pantai 070308However,  Ahmad Zuhdi said looking at the voting trend of Malay support for PAS in past general elections and by-elections, the support had been between 45 percent and 55 percent.

Based on this, he said PAS needs to secure at least 45 percent of the Malay vote to triumph over its rival, Umno.

"If we look at this, there are two survey showing negative dominance namely in Berita Semasa where 49 percent of those polled do not support Hasan's expulsion and 56 percent in Youtube who commented negatively on the expulsion.

"This only represents a one percent shift to the between 45 percent and 55 percent radiant.

"If the increase is like five percent it would be worrying but a one percent rise is seen as very low and not worrying," Ahmad Zuhdi added.

Hasan was expelled by the party on Jan 8, for violating discipline by  questioning the party's direction as well as criticising over the party for supporting PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.


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