Prepare for election next year, says DAP MP
By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — DAP national vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran predicted today that the Barisan Nasional (BN) is likely to call for a general election next year.
The Ipoh Barat MP said he expects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to call for early election to get a new mandate and to avoid an expected global economic downturn in 2011.
Kulasegaran added that Najib was also expected to use the short period since taking over the government to convince voters that he would need more time to deliver his promises.
“I believe that Najib will dissolve the Parliament not later than second half of next year due to three factors,” said Kulasegaran in his speech at an election workshop organised by Ipoh Timur DAP.
“Recently, Prime Minister Najib had said the government would not dissolve Parliament to make way for the general election based on one opinion that people favoured him, but the election date would in fact be a surprise to all,” he said citing Najib’s remarks that the election date would surprise everyone.
Kulasegaran said the upcoming Sarawak election would also be a good indicator for the next election date.
“However, if the Sarawak state election is held soon after Hari Raya and BN performs well, I will not rule out the possibility of Najib dissolving Parliament even this year,” said Kulasegaran.
“Of course, if the Sarawak state election is only held next year, then Najib’s promise for a surprise election may come true, a simultaneous holding of the parliamentary and Sarawak state elections,” he added.
On the party’s preparation for the next general election, he said that DAP must field better quality and winnable candidates.
