GE-13 probably mid-year, says Daim

FORMER finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin believes the next general election will be held this year as the longer the wait the greater the possibility that Barisan Nasional (BN) would make more mistakes.

Similarly, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would see more bickering among its component parties, he said.

This, he said, offers neither side the advantage.

The Umno veteran said this during an interview with Sin Chew Daily when asked to predict the date for the next polls.

He said, BN, which will be seeking a new mandate led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak for the first time, still has the edge, but its ambition to get back its two-thirds majority in the Parliament is "not very practical".

He said PR parties are beginning to fight among themselves for seats as every one of them wants to form the government, wants to have more people's representatives because they are confident the Chinese will vote for them.

But when the Malay voters see this situation, they may not necessary vote for PAS, instead they would vote for Umno, or things like that, he said.

Parliament won't be dissolved this month or next

Daim has ruled out the dissolution of the Parliament this month or the next and believes the general election would most likely be held during the next school holidays (May 26 to June 10).

He said the prime minister can call for the election the moment he thinks BN has a very good chance to win.

If he chooses the right time, BN will win.

"(The general election is) Like a game of chess, it is a competition. If I were the prime minister, I know how to play this election game. I think former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir also knows (this election game well).

"This election game is decided on which side makes fewer mistakes. I've said Barisan has the advantage, but in the process they cannot make mistakes."

What the Chinese want

Asked how he thinks BN could change the Chinese voters' negative impression of the coalition, he said the national front should realise what the Chinese want.

The Chinese want a peaceful environment to do business; they hope for a just and secure future for their children; and they are concerned about education and public security issues.

Daim also pointed out that the needs and wants of the Malays, Chinese and Indians in the urban areas are the same.

They want better living environment, hate traffic congestion, worry about criminal activities, and angry about the high costs of living.

He said irrespective of race, the urbanites are angry about traffic jams, criminal activities and high living costs, but Umno does not understand this, believing that the Malays support the party.

He said BN was able to win with two-thirds majority for five consecutive times under Mahathir because he made sure the issues facing the people were addressed before calling for elections.

"You must understand how the people feel. The needs of young people, urbanites, and the Malays, Chinese and Indians who live in flats are the same.

"But the kampung folk are different. As such Najib needs to visit them, talk to them and understand their needs."

Najib will have to step down if BN performs worse than in GE-12

Daim said although BN still has the edge in the next general election, if the BN performs worse than before Najib may have to step down. Asked if BN can regain the two-thirds majority, Daim said it is "a good vision, but (BN) should be more practical".

He said BN must fight in order to win.

"Should it lose more seats, Umno will let him (Najib) go, this is politics."

Asked for the possible successor should this happen, Daim quoted the Malay proverb "Patah tumbuh, hilang berganti" (whatever broken will grow back, whatever lost will be replaced), saying that, for better or worse, someone will take over.

He said for the loser to leave is a political reality, not only in Umno but also true in other parts of the world.

If party members want you to win but you lose, then you have to go, he said.

Muhyiddin to take over or there may be a new challenger

Daim said Najib himself knows this rule well.

Najib said he wants two-thirds majority, he must do better than former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did, otherwise he will only have to say bye-bye, opined Daim.

However, he said, if the country's economy is strong, Umno is united and the BN displays team spirit, Najib will have the advantage.

"However, that doesn't mean Najib (BN) will definitely win. Just like tennis, (the one with) the advantage still has to work hard in order to win, and mustn't make mistake."

He said should Najib fails and must step down, it would be up to Umno to decide on his successor, perhaps through a party election.

By convention, the party No 2 would take over, but anything can happen, there may be challenger which is not new in politics, he said, adding that this is politics, and everyone wants to be the prime minister.

Najib listens to the people, declared war on corruption, abolished ISA

Nevertheless, Daim has positive remarks for Najib.

"Najib's administration has performed better than the previous administration. You can see changes, he listens to the people, abolished the Internal Security Act, and declared war on corruption. All these are what the people want. Because you represent the people, you must listen to their voices.

"If you hold a differing view, you must explain the reasons and use logic to convince them. The public are rational, if you want to convince them, explain to them nicely, reach out to them, tell them your plans and that you are aware of the consequences."

On the other hand, if those in power adopt the "shut up and toe the line, we are the best" attitude, they would be in danger.

Daim pointed out that Najib's Government Transformation Programme and Economic Transformation Programme are headed in the right direction.

He said the country needs political stability and economic growth, otherwise we will face many problems as the world economic slows down.

As a country which depends a lot on exports, we will be in trouble if we cannot export, but the government has done its best, he said.

Focus on Sabah and Sarawak

On the next general election, Daim said BN should go all out to win in Sabah and Sarawak, keep its current seats in the peninsula as well as pay attention to seats that it lost narrowly in the 2008 polls.

"If I were the PM, I will focus on Sabah and Sarawak to keep the status quo; seats won here (peninsula in the last election); and some seats that MCA lost narrowly the last time.

If you go all over the country, you are not sure where you can get the votes, it is just a waste of time," he said on campaign strategy.

Asked to rate BN's chances according to states, he said it will be hard for the coalition to recapture Penang and Kelatan but it has a 50-50 chance in Kedah and Selangor.

He said BN will find it tough to retain Perak given the anti-BN sentiment there as a result of the power grab after the 2008 general election.

On the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) scandal, he warned that it can affect the BN more than the Lynas issue if not handled well as the loan for NFCorp comes from the government, and indirectly out of the people's pockets.

Daim also warned that if Umno does well in the next general election but MCA and Gerakan get routed, it will be very unfortunate and sad, as such an outcome shows racial voting which will divide the country along racial lines.

-thesundaily.my