Three-cornered contests a boon for BN in GE14, group says
(Bernama) – A round table discussion participated by academicians organised by the National Council of Professors (MPN) yesterday predicted that the Barisan Nasional (BN) would still be able to form a government if there are more three-cornered contests in the 14th General Election (GE14).
In contrast to the GE13 in 2013, which saw many straight fights between BN and the Opposition pact, known then as Pakatan Rakyat, three-cornered contests this time will put PAS as a separate entity from the pact.
MPN Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster head Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak (pic) said that in the context of the GE14, the race was to get Malay votes.
“This time Malay voters are given a choice after PAS left the Opposition pact and the setting up of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) which is Umno splinter party. According to a study, Umno/BN still maintain the status quo,” he told a press conference on the conclusion of the “Pre GE14 Roundtable Discussion: Will BN Be Retained Or…??” here.
Also present at the press conference were MPN deputy chairman Prof Ulung Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin and MPN chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Raduan Che Ros.
Mohamed Mustafa said based on a study conducted in all 222 parliamentary constituencies, if the BN could achieve at least 40 per cent victory in the peninsular, plus the parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak which were considered BN strongholds, then the coalition would still able to form a federal government.
“In the three-cornered fights, the majority of Umno/BN votes will increase because the votes for the Opposition will be divided into two. However, this study is not absolute, during election, there are many other factors such as candidates, manifesto, issues and others,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Amri said the study also revealed that BN was expected to win more parliamentary and state seats as compared to the GE13 because of the increase in Malay votes.
He said the Opposition pact was expected to lose in the area they won with marginal votes or small number of votes in the GE13 following the transfer of Malay votes.
Raduan said according to the study, BN would win in the areas monopolised by Malay voters and has an increase in support in the Chinese areas.
“If the prediction is right, there is no doubt that BN will win the GE14 and increase the parliamentary and state seats,” he said.
Raduan said BN should at least get 40 per cent of the Malay votes in GE14 and it was possible following the success of the coalition in adding votes during the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections.
He said, in order to increase support, BN should pay attention to young voters.
