PR: Najib may be popular but can BN win?

(The Edge) – Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders today sought to downplay Barisan Nasional’s (BN) chances of recouping its loss during the 12th general election even as they admitted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was making headway in regaining public support.

Opposition members of parliament were asked to comment on Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian’s recent statement that BN would score better if the 13th general elections were held now, with Ibrahim predicting that BN could regain the two-thirds majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.

Ibrahim was also quoted by Malaysiakini on Nov 15 as saying that PR could only win between 50-60 seats in the Dewan Rakyat if nationwide elections were held now.

BN currently has 137 seats against PR’s 82 while independent representatives occupy three seats in parliament’s lower house.

When met, PR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) said the opposition coalition would “take note of that” but attributed Najib’s increasing appeal to a “very well organised campaign” by international communications firm Apco Worldwide, engaged by Najib.

“They are smart in spinning the news and (have) effective control of the media, more effective than the past, so they have been able to impress the general public that Najib represents change.

“But I think given the track record in the last few months and the next few months, I think it will dissipate,” Anwar told reporters in parliament earlier.

Anwar said he was “not particularly worried unless he (Najib) genuinely believes (he can implement reform) and be consistent in his actions”.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) said that while Najib was “stronger than the BN”, it still remained to be seen whether Najib can manage to transform the BN “not to be a crony government”.

“The outcome (of the general elections) will still be determined by the people. There is always ebb and flow in politics. People will see which government can best protect their interests,” Lim said.

On the fight against corruption, Lim said Najib’s actions had not matched his rhetoric and cited the example of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal which saw inaction despite several reports recommending action.

M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) also concurred with Lim, saying that Najib’s rising popularity cannot be denied but also cannot be equated with the ruling party’s popularity.

Kulasegaran said his biggest concern was that PR would “be fizzled out” unless the PR-led state governments can successfully outperform their BN predecessors to show that they “can deliver”.

The internal spat between PR leaders must stop and that the coalition should have common policy stands, Kulasegaran added.

PAS Vice-President Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) meanwhile took more caution, saying that PR cannot “underrate” what Najib has done in the last few months since taking office.

“The most important thing is that PAS must anticipate the tactics that Najib is undertaking in this few months. He is making headway and trying very hard,” Salahuddin said.

“But I don’t underrate him (Najib) as a politician and in the upcoming election we have to take all that into account,” Salahuddin said.

Salahuddin added that PR must be strengthened and find solutions for “all the problems” during its first convention scheduled for December.