Pakatan has votes but fate is with BN, says minister

While conceding that Pakatan Rakyat had won the popular vote, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan said BN had another card up its sleeve: Fate.

"Perhaps (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim has forgotten that, although Pakatan has won the popular vote, statistically speaking, but BN has the support of ‘takdir' (fate) that helped it won the recent 13th general election.

"In short, fate and God's will determines everything," he wrote in a commentary in Utusan Malaysia's weekend edition today.

In his article, he argued that the ‘Black 505' rallies and calls for the Election Commission (EC) commissioners to resign are Anwar's ‘smokescreens' to distract public attention away from his failed bid to capture Sabah.

His misreading of the political climate in the state had led to Pakatan failing to win key seats in the state that would have helped the coalition in forming the federal government, he said.

"For example, PKR Sabah leaders could not comprehend the advantages of bringing Lajim Ukin (right) and Wilfred Bumburing into PKR Sabah, and allow them to influence the party's list of candidates in the state.

"This is because PKR Sabah already has their own list of candidates who have worked for the party since it was formed 15 years ago. They were set aside just like that," the Kota Belud MP said.

Lijim and Wilfed were Umno Sabah and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) leaders respectively until defecting to PKR last year.

Abdul Rahman added Anwar's overconfidence in taking Sabah had led him to focus in campaigning in Peninsula Malaysia and neglect Sabah.

He said Anwar should now leave the issue behind and start the process of nation building.

"As minister, I have personally invited Anwar to name a Pakatan leader to meet and discuss current affairs related to my ministry. To date, there is no response to my invitation.

"I think the rakyat are entitled to ask why," he said.