BN to win bigger in 13th GE, predicts MCA chief
(Bernama) – The Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to win the 13th general election (GE) with a bigger majority, but it is difficult to predict whether it would be a simple or a “two-third” majority, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said Malaysian voters were also predicted to vote for BN again after having tried out the opposition in 2008.
These were among the projections that politicians had made for the 13th GE, based on the latest political developments in the country, Chua said in his lecture entitled “Barisan Nasional and the 13th General Election in Malaysia” at S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) Distinguished Lecture Series in Singapore, today.
The text of his lecture was faxed to Bernama today.
Chua said Malaysian voters were now more discerning in their choices. After trying the ‘Pakatan’ or opposition pact in 2008, many were now set to bet on Barisan in a redefined political landscape.
“I am confident that Barisan’s consistent majorities will remain consistent for the 13th general election and after. A “new” Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) is seeking his first general election victory, but all the signs suggest that BN will remain in power after the 13th General Election,” he said.
However, he said that talks that the GE would be called this year was merely speculative as the current term was only due in 2013.
He also predicted that in the upcoming GE, the opposition might retain Kelantan and Penang but would struggle in Kedah, Perak and Selangor while Johor Sabah and Sarawak would continue to be the ruling coalition’s “fixed deposit”, which accounted for nearly 35 per cent of parliamentary seats in total.
“Barisan will win more parliamentary seats and a larger percentage of the popular vote. Meanwhile, more squabbling is expected within and between Pakatan parties.
“Even in states where Pakatan retains control, its state assembly strength may drop,” he said.
Chua said there would also be increasing moves towards issues of public concern transcending race and religion, while political campaigns would be more issue-based, rather than posturing with one communal identity over another.
“The quality of governance is critical. The choice between BN and Pakatan Rakyat centres on delivery systems, growth prospects and public security,” he added.
