The risk behind BN’s confidence

that to ensure BN’s victory, candidates lacking winnability should be replaced with winnable candidates from other BNfriendly parties – and even swapping of constituencies should be considered to increase BN’s chances.

Since leading the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM) to join Pakatan Harapan, Mahathir has been using various issues to attack Najib, including 1MDB, devaluation of Ringgit and increase of projects from China. Mahathir has also accused Najib of weak governance.

But instead of engaging in Mahathir-styled political haranguing which frequently sinks into ad hominem, Najib who is BN chairman, has instead focused on enhancing socioeconomic development in the country.

He has highlighted the country’s transformation plans and prospects and even visited both the US and China to promote trade and strengthen relations.

Najib is resolute in signing contracts with China to implement a series of projects to boost the country’s economic status such as the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park, Johor’s Forest City, the East Coast Rail Link, the Kuala Lumpur– Singapore High-Speed Rail and the Klang Valley MRT system.

His performance as Prime Minister is not second to Mahathir’s during the latter’s tenure – only that a number of BN members appear to lack vision and are uncouthly outspoken. Many are even investigated for malpractices which are a dent on BN image.

However, with Najib’s performance at the helm, it is not impossible for BN to recapture its two-thirds majority.

The burning question is whether all BN members, especially senior Umno officials, can give 100 per cent co-operation to achieve that goal.

Can they take the lead in walking the talk or will they continue wielding their power to serve personal interests?

GE14 can be held at any time before Aug next year. BN is ready and PH is also ready.

The opposition is more active in the countryside but BN is also confident of winning 167 out of the 222 seats.

Mahathir, PKR’s leader Datuk Seri Wan Azizah as well as DAP’s secretary general Lim Guan Eng all seem convinced the opposition can turn the tables – which again begs the question – will the BN partners fully cooperate with each other and will all Umno members close ranks to scupper the opposition’s plan? If not, BN is still at risk.

Of course, BN must put in the hard yards to regain the 33 seats it lost. The key will be Umno’s performance and the response from the Malays.

And finally, have the BN component parties, including the Malaysian Chinese Association, the Malaysian People’s Movement Party and the Malaysia India Congress, re-established their strong footing as well as reasserted their influence to trump the opposition in one fell swoop? Only time will tell. (Translated from Oriental Daily)