BN expects getting easy majority in GE14

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is not expected to face any difficulty getting a simple majority in the 14th General Election (GE14) based on the excellent record of its 13- component party alliance of fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities dean Prof Dr Mohd Fuad Mat Jali said considering the current political climate, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is expected to gain a two-thirds majority for BN.
"BN is now in the best position to win GE14, as unity is strong in Umno and the people's rejection of the opposition, especially its choice of candidate for prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad," he told reporters after presenting a working paper at the Pre-GE14 Round-table Conference session – "Will BN Be Retained Or ..." here today.
Participants at the conference which included academics from the National Professor Council Political, Security and International Affairs Cluster met to discuss major issues pertaining to GE14.
The one-day conference saw three round-table sessions titled "BN, PH and PAS: Who Beats Who"; "Sabah and Sarawak in GE14: Development Politics and Political Changes"; and "BN vs PH vs PAS : Who Wins, Who Determines".
He said in a recent UKM survey, the 6,000 respondents interviewed said the factors which would determine voter decision was firstly, the choice of candidate, followed by the party, proposed manifesto and issues.
"The survey found that 75% of the respondents did not support Tun Dr Mahathir as prime minister if the opposition wins GE14. This is because of his age and he is seen as too liberal and had betrayed Umno, they worry about the fate of the Malays and the religion as (Tun) Dr Mahathir is seen as in cohorts with DAP," he said.
Meanwhile, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Idid from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia and Prof Dr Rohana Yusof from Universiti Utara Malaysia who attended the session titled 'BN, PH and PAS: Who Beats Who' said BN would not face any problems retaining power after GE14.
According to Syed Arabi, the government's concern for the people's cost of living as seen in the BR1M aid was a factor for the people's support for BN while issues like the GST would be a key factor for voters.
Rohana said the outcome of this election would depend on first-time voters.
"It is difficult to know which party they will choose. Their choice may depend on local issues and candidates," she said. — Bernama