50-50 chance for Mah

AS EXPECTED, Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming has set the stage for a battle royale with Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong in Teluk Intan.

Given that the Chinese are inclined to vote for DAP, Mah will have to bank on his good service record and a strong support from the Malay voters to retain his seat.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily yesterday, both candidates have an equal chance and the outcome will depend on whether the sentiment in the neighbouring Bagan Datuk has any impact on the Malay voters in Teluk Intan, and how many outstation voters will return home to vote.

The Bagan Datuk incumbent is caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has pledged to bring more development to the constituency which will not only strengthen his support there, but also help Mah to win more Malay votes.

However, Nga will have the edge in wooing the support of Chinese voters, who number roughly the same as Malay voters at about 40% of the total.

It was observed earlier that there was a swing in Chinese support back to Barisan Nasional but following confirmation of Nga’s candidacy, many who would have supported BN are now in two minds.

Should the more than 1,000 voters working outstation return to vote, more “fence-sitters” may be influenced into supporting Nga.