General election draws closer

Speculation is increasing that a general election is creeping up on to us as Penang comes under the spotlight.

This afternoon, Najib attended the “Malaysia Aidilfitri-Merdeka 2011 Open House” event at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Guar Perahu. The Edge reported that 20000 people attended. David Arumugam, Ahmad Jais, Uji Rashid and Hail Amir performed at the event.

Now, Guar Perahu lie in the vicinity of Permatang Pauh, stronghold of Anwar Ibrahim.

On 29 September, Najib is due to officiate at the Han Chiang College’s 929 Golden Achievement Awards to honour the successes of the students and journalists of the vernacular press. Koh Tsu Koon may be part of the delegation though he has not yet been invited – this was revealed during a press conference on Friday chaired by Han Chiang Board of Governors Tan Kok Ping. Kok Ping added that Guan Eng had been invited and it was not necessary to invite his predecessor.

The event will be held at the indoor stadium of the school. During the 2008 general election campaign, the same stadium and the large outdoor school field were the venues for huge opposition rallies. A ceramah at the school field attended by 60000 just two days before polling day has been described by some as the turning point in the campaign.

Umno has 11 seats in Penang against Pakatan’s 39.

Meanwhile, a source told me that principals in a town in Pahang were called for a briefing last week.

One or two people have suggested that the general election could be held in November/December. But on 29 July, Najib announced that the Umno general assembly will be held from 1-3 December – the dates reportedly decided by an Umno supreme council meeting. So how?

Others are keeping an eye on what happens in the Anwar court case and the fate of Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, now seen as more of a liability for the BN.

What have you heard? What is your prediction? And what are the issues at stake?

- anilnetto