BN contesting 115 parliamentary seats ambitious and unrealistic, say analysts

 They say Umno remains too weak to challenge PAS in Malay-majority states, despite opportunities in PN’s troubled strongholds.

BN has been reported to be eyeing at least 115 parliamentary seats in GE16 to signal that it is more than just a ‘second player’ behind PH in the unity government.

PETALING JAYA:

 Analysts say Barisan Nasional’s target of contesting in 115 parliamentary seats in the next general election (GE16) may be unrealistic, with Umno still too weak to challenge PAS in Malay-majority areas.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Umno, the lynchpin of BN, is only confident because of its victories in a series of by-elections.

“Umno’s victories were also influenced by other factors such as the contribution of votes from Pakatan Harapan supporters and the strong mobilisation of the federal government machinery,” he told FMT.

Mazlan cautioned that component parties such as MCA and MIC could be the biggest losers if BN and PH contest head-on.

“As long as non-Malay voters still support PH, especially DAP, the performance of MCA and MIC will continue to decline like in the last elections,” he said.

“These parties are dependent on Umno, especially in areas with dominant Malay voters.”

Malaysiakini reported that BN intends to contest at least 115 parliamentary seats in GE16 to signal that it is more than just a “second player” behind PH in the unity government.

The plan assumes that all seats not won by PH in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah could be allocated to BN, and may require PH to relinquish at least a few of its current 79 parliamentary seats.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said BN’s target is ambitious but feasible within a 222-seat parliament.

“It leaves 107 seats for PH. As BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, the coalition is focusing on Malay-majority, PAS-led states, which account for about 40 seats,” he said.

He said BN’s prospects are strengthened by Perikatan Nasional’s disarray, caused by infighting between PAS and Bersatu and factional tensions within Bersatu itself.

“BN will perform much better against PN compared to GE15. PN is in disarray, and BN is bold in its decision to go solo,” he said. - FMT