THE conventional wisdom in Kedah before GE14 was that Umno would win the northern state comfortably.

The belief was that the ruling coalition (especially Umno) would win big in Kedah because of the three-cornered fight between Barisan, Pakatan Harapan and PAS. The perception was that PAS would split the opposition votes, benefitting Barisan.

In GE14, Barisan fell in Kedah. It failed to retain the state government. Umno won three state seats out of 36. Pakatan Harapan won 18 seats (PKR eight, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia five, Amanah three and DAP two) and PAS 15 seats.

The result triggered a hung assembly as no party possessed the minimum of 19 seats to form a minority government. Subsequently, Pakatan formed the state government with Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as Mentri Besar.

Out of the 15 parliamentary seats, BN won two, Pakatan 10 (PKR six, Bersatu three and Amanah one) and PAS three.