GE15: Tough for BN to win as people are unhappy with them

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said it will be tough for Barisan Nasional to win the 15th general election (GE15) as Malaysians are unhappy with its performance.

(NST) – He said that based on PKR’s survey, 63 per cent of people were not happy with the federal government led by Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Also, 78 per cent of the public is disappointed with the country’s economic situation. If those in Umno or BN are confident about winning the elections, they have nothing to back that (confidence),” he said at an “Ayuh Malaysia” campaign last night.

Rafizi also said how youths vote would be unpredictable in GE15, although based on his party’s statistics, he said 84 per cent of young voters were unhappy with Malaysia’s economic situation as well as the government’s handling of their future.

“This is because the country’s issues have not changed. In fact, they are getting worse as the cost of living has gone up,” said Rafizi, who is the former Pandan member of Parliament.

Rafizi also pointed out that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would cut down on subsidies for the people when he helmed the government.

“When PH won in 2018, oil prices had to be stabilised as subsidies were needed to keep CEOs from getting extra money into their pockets. Najib thought it was wise to cut subsidies then, but look at the situation now. The (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri-led governments did not dare to cut subsidies as they knew it was a mistake,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said, BN failed to solve issues involving the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), adding that the corporation managed to accumulate about RM40 billion in debt in 2018.

“We tried to fix the issue by making sure that those earning more than RM4,000 should pay for these loans and those who were not earning enough did not have to pay them. We were going to find another way to pay back these loans.

“However, the debt accumulated (by BN) was too much. This is why it is important to vote for a government who can strengthen the economy,” he said.