Mahathir said he believes PN is capable of winning five out of the six states, with the exception of Penang. “I believe PN has a good potential to win all the states on the East Coast (Kelantan and Terengganu), as well as in Kedah, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan.”
The former prime minister said this during a press conference after attending an event in Langkawi today. ‘They are still poor, oppressed’ “We find that public sentiment has changed. It is not like previous elections.
“For example, the Malays feel suspicious about their future, especially the older generation, as they see that their situation has not changed; they are still poor and oppressed. “They do not receive guidance or suggestions from the government on how to solve their problems,” he said.
When asked about the many candidates expected to contest as independents, he said they are not serious contenders. “What can an individual candidate do running as an independent? They can’t do anything. They can go to Parliament and speak, but they will have no impact at all.
“What matters is if we become the government. That’s why the aspiration in elections is to establish a government, not just to become representatives of the people,” he said.
During the press conference, Mahathir also clarified that his recent involvement in PN’s programme does not mean he is joining any party. He stated that his presence is only to support them because they share the same objectives.
“I only attend the meetings. I am not joining PAS, not PN, not Putra. I am free from all political parties. “They (PAS) have the same objective as I do, so I will support them.
“We see that the current government is called a ‘kakistocracy’ that doesn’t know how to govern. So we need a change of government,” he said. Mahathir used to lead Bersatu but was later expelled by Muhyiddin.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s prediction that Perikatan Nasional (PN) will capture five out of six states in the Aug 12 polls.
Sinar Harian quoted Anwar reminding Mahathir that the nonagenarian lost his deposit in Langkawi in the last 15th general election, contrary to initial predictions.
“Today he (Mahathir) said they (PN) will win five out of six states. That is just his prediction.
“When he contested in Langkawi, he said he could win big but the result showed that he lost his deposit,” said Anwar in Dungun, Terengganu. - mk
>73% of state seats are seeing straight fights between PN and PH. All in , 570 candidates vying for 245 state seats in six states. > 12% are women. Polling on Aug 12. Early voting Aug 8. - melgoh,cna
It’s a straight fight for former MB, Azmin Ali and three horse race for incumbent MB Amirudin Shari in Gombak , Selangor, one of the most fiercely fought state. At stake , PH crown jewel which PM Anwar’s sprawling team is out to defend at all costs. - melgoh,cna
Will the ‘green wave’
turn towards Anwar?...
Let me go on record as saying at the outset that I do not think there is a “green wave”. I know that the Malay-Muslim electorate swung in favour of Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the 15th general election (GE 15) – I even predicted that – but I did not see the swing as a statement of intent or a projection of the permanent direction of the Malay-Muslim electorate.
Instead, to me, it was just the outcome of political developments leading up to GE15. But even assuming there is a “green wave” of Malay-Muslim voters who voted in favour of PN in the last general election, there is no reason why it will not wash back in favour of Anwar Ibrahim at the upcoming six-state polls.
After all, the Malay-Muslims were originally staunch Anwar supporters. On the other hand, the Chinese and Indians stood by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, allowing him to secure a two-thirds majority in the 1999 general election.
Two dozen years later, the tables appear to have been turned, with non-Malay voters backing Anwar, while the Malay votes appear to be split in multiple ways, although a significant majority appear to support PN.
But those relationships are by no means cast in stone. At best, they reflected the self-interests of each community when GE15 rolled around in November last year. Perhaps, Anwar’s words were not as assuring to the Malay community then.
All that, however, may change overnight. If Anwar begins to gain support from the Malays, he will surely move to increasingly advance their aspirations and intentions. Contrary to popular belief, the Malays do not see Anwar as their enemy. In fact, they actually identify with Anwar.
While the non-Malays’ relationship with Anwar is based on self-interest, the Malays and Anwar have a relationship based on identity. After all, he is one of them. If they did not stand behind Anwar during the 2022 elections, it was merely because it was not in their interests to do so nine months ago. Things may well have changed since then.
Anwar today looks like he is willing, desirous, capable and able to protect and forward the rights and interests of Islam and the Malays. Perhaps the most recent example of this is his action to waive RM 8.3 billion in debts owed by Felda settlers. By doing so, he is sending out a clear signal that he has the interests of the Malays at heart.
His refusal to commit to secularism and his personal assurance that usage of the term “Allah” by non-Muslims will be restricted to East Malaysia, are also signals that Anwar is sending to the Malay electorate to indicate his desire to defend their rights and interests using his office and in his personal capacity.
If these and several other signals he has sent out during his tenure as prime minister are well-received by the Malays, then there is no reason why they would not withdraw their support from PN and bestow it on Anwar.
After all, it is the logical thing to do since he is the one in power. If indeed Anwar has improved his standing among the Malays, he is likely to secure victory in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
With Sanusi Nor floundering recently and Terengganu in a mess, Anwar might even be seen as the saviour of Kedah and Terengganu. (He may, however, have a lot more work to do to turn Kelantan around.)
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin Yassin, Hadi Awang and Mahathir Mohamad all appear to be losing their charm. On top of that, the extremist positions on race and religion that they are minded to take may not be seen by the Malays as being in their best interests presently.
Anwar, on the other hand, is by far the most powerful Malay leader in the country today. The Malays may well decide that the time has come to nail their colours to his mast, since he is the one in the best position to advance their interests.- Nehru Sathiamoorthy
Look who is in the fortune teller business. He couldn't even see into his own position in Langkawi. Not only did he lose the seat he even lost his deposit. - ipoh pp
He was so confident in GE15 that Pejuang will create history in Malaysian politics. Instead all receive a big fat egg and lost all their deposits. History will repeat itself this time in the state elections, 1-5 most probably instead of 5-1.- Thunderbolt
Who cares what you believe. What’s important is the nobody believes you.This is the 5th political party you are sleeping with. This time the Rakyat will nail you down. Enough of your nonsense. - Belakang Masuk
cheers.
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