With five-days of campaigning left, Barisan officials said they have swung a good percentage of the middle ground in their favour and hoped to hasten it in the last 72 hours before the May 5 polls.
They believed that the initial count of fence-sitters was about 32% among the Kadazandusun and Murut voters and up to 57% with the Chinese, with Muslim bumiputeras more or less decided.
One observation by them was that the Kadazandusun and Murut voters could be convinced to switch to Barisan in the final days of campaign but it may be tougher to rope in the Chinese.
"I believe the majority of the Chinese will make a firm choice a day or the night before polling.
"It is hard to assess because the Chinese-based parties don't rely on party membership for support as they have only small number," said a senior Barisan leader.
He said gauging the Chinese would depend on how their clan associations, traders and hawkers' associations or non-government organisations, school boards and other groups felt about Barisan and the opposition parties.
The Chinese fence-sitters could always swing to one-side at the last minute, dealing a crucial blow to any party candidate.
Among the Muslim bumputeras, the margin of fence-sitters was negligible as the view of the Barisan official was that they had decided to be either "with us or against us" or throw their support to their family connections by blood or marriage.
"Generally, it will be up to the candidate to bring them back to the Barisan side," he added.
Coalition candidates have been constantly reminded to make their ground assessment accurately as the multi-cornered fights in some areas may not be in their favour.
They are also cautious in predicting a near clean sweep of the 60 state and 25 parliamentary seats for Barisan as last-minute mood swings have turned the tables in past elections.
Why BN still the best for Malaysia?
ReplyDeleteBringing Malaysia into the top third category of the best education systems in the world is one of the goals of the Barisan Nasional (BN) if it is returned to power in the upcoming general election
Why BN still the best for Malaysia?
ReplyDeleteThemed 'A Promise of Hope', the manifesto highlights the BN's promise to enhance the command of Bahasa Malaysia and English from the pre-school level, and make English a compulsory pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination
Barisan Nasional is all set to retain power in Sabah, thanks to a disjointed opposition.
ReplyDeleteBickering over seat allocation will deal them a bitter blow in their attempt to topple the Barisan Nasional-led state government.
ReplyDeleteThis time's polling is set to be a repeat of the March 8, 2008 general election when BN emerged with a landslide victory, winning 59 of the 60 state and 24 of the 25 parliamentary seats.
ReplyDeleteDuring the last five years, the Pakatan Rakyat seemed to have had overwhelming support from the people, but it has gone the opposite way since the dissolution of parliament and the state legislative assemblies last month.
ReplyDeletePR and the two state-based opposition parties, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and State Reform Party (STAR) initially seemed to have reach an understanding to allocate seats for straight contests against the BN but it did not materialise.
ReplyDeleteInstead, PR fielded candidates in every seat, SAPP in 41 state and eight parliamentary constituencies, and STAR in 49 state and 21 parliamentary seats.
ReplyDeleteOnly the Sandakan parliamentary and Tanjung Batu state seats with see a straight fight between PR and BN.
ReplyDeleteAlthough BN will have tough fights in most seats, it may well emerge victorious from the opposition’s seat arrangements.
ReplyDeleteAs with the rest of the nation, the 13th general election will be a crowded affair with 64 Independent candidates in the fray.
ReplyDeleteChief Minister and Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman is expected to retain his Sungai Sibuga seat in a five-cornered fight.
ReplyDeletePBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan is sure of victory over his four contenders in Tambunan, a seat he won in every election since 1976.
ReplyDeleteWhile all BN component party presidents are likely to win, the same could not be said of STAR chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan in Bingkor, while SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee might smell victory in Likas.
ReplyDelete