“A simple increase in majority may not be enough, given that Barisan Nasional campaigned as if there were no tomorrow despite facing only two independents. In Malaysia, that’s literally a walkover”
Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen
چيني: سؤالڽ بوكن جك باريسن بوليه منڠ، سؤالڽ منڠ بسر مان
PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s claim yesterday that a Barisan Nasional victory in Chini can be another example of how Muafakat Nasional impacts positively on UMNO and PAS may be a little misguided.
While I am quite reserved with my criticisms against PAS, I think the Islamic party must come to terms with the fact that a victory for Barisan Nasional is practically assured since Chini is a traditional Barisan Nasional stronghold.
As a matter of fact, the rural township is located within the broader Pekan parliamentary constituency which just so happens to be a Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stronghold.
So the question of Barisan Nasional losing does not come into the picture.
What voters need to look for instead is the majority with which Barisan Nasional will win, i.e., whether or not the coalition will maintain its majority, suffer a reduction in majority or win with a bigger majority.
A simple increase in majority may not be enough since Barisan Nasional campaigned as if there were no tomorrow despite facing only two independents. In Malaysia, that’s literally a walkover.
Taking this into account and the hype surrounding UMNO’s alliance with PAS, should Barisan Nasional not see a 60 to 70 per cent increase in its majority, there will be nothing to shout about.
Come to think about it, it will be a sign that the Malay-Muslims are concerned with PAS and UMNO’s failure to register Muafakat Nasional despite spending months affirming and reaffirming it exists.
It would also be a sign that UMNO’s emphasis on Barisan Nasional during the campaign trail raised questions as to whether or not UMNO and PAS were truly committed to the Muafakat Nasional cause.
NOTA: SAYA MEMBUAT PENGUMUMAN-PENGUMUMAN PENTING DARI MASA KE SEMASA EKSKLUSIF MENERUSI SALURAN TELEGRAM BERIKUT:
