Opposition must move beyond 1MDB and GST’
PETALING JAYA: Opposition politicians must focus less on 1Malaysia Development Berhad and Goods and Services Tax if they are to win voters, says an academician.
Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi of University of Malaya, noted that voters had already become immune to these issues against Barisan Nasional (BN).
Making a post-mortem analysis of the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections, Prof Awang Azman told FMT that the voters felt that “the issues are stale, even though these issues still shackle the public”.
Awang Azman said BN’s convincing victories could be attributed to Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s successfully deploying the party’s extensive campaign machinery, as well as the media’s objective reporting on the by-elections.
“The 3Ms – media, machinery and money – play a large role,” Awang Azman said, and noted that Malaysiakini, which he said was usually perceived as a pro-Opposition portal, had produced objective reporting, with opposition’s weaknesses identified and BN’s campaign reported on objectively.
He also noted that Chinese voters were returning to BN, whose efforts to reach the Chinese voters must be multiplied for the coming general election.
Leaders of PAS and the splinter party Amanah must settle their disputes if they wanted to remain relevant and succeed at the general election.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s campaign against Najib Razak and his Citizen’s Declaration were seen to be largely ineffective on semi-rural voters.
Post a Comment