Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak won’t be taken for granted in GE13
(Radio Australia) – A week out from general elections in Malaysia, and the latest opinion survey puts the Malaysian Opposition slightly ahead the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
The latest ‘perception survey’ was conducted by the Universiti Malaya’s Democratic and Election Centre.
The survey was conducted over a two-week period after parliament was dissolved on April 4th.
Political scientist, Dr Arnold Puyok in the politically-crucial east Malaysian state of Sabah, has been watching campaigning closely.
He says the omission of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island may mean the survey’s missed the true political temperature.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Dr Arnold Puyok, Malaysian political analyst, Universiti Teknoloji Mara, Sabah, Malaysia
PUYOK: The survey doesn’t tell us much about the sentiment of voters on a national basis, because Sabah and Sarawak, the two crucial states for Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat were excluded in the survey. So in my opinion, I think the survey is too peninsula-centric. It does tell us something about peninsular Malaysia, but not the country as a whole, because Sabah and Sarawak are very crucial for the BN and PR.
LAM: So to me, it’s a glaring omission, if those two states are so crucial – the survey doesn’t reflect the true temperature of Malaysian voters?
PUYOK: Yes, I agree with you. So I think the survey is only telling us about the voter sentiment in peninsular Malaysia but not the country as a whole.
LAM: As you say, Sabah and Sarawak are the two crucial states – how do they feel about Barisan Nasional?
Read more and listen to the podcast at: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/malaysias-sabah-and-sarawak-wont-be-taken-for-granted-in-ge13/1122372
