BN confident of securing two-thirds majority

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MEETING THE PRESS: Najib (seated centre right) holding a meeting with the media editors include Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh (seated left) before the recording for a special programme in conjunction with GE13. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: On the back of increasing support from Malaysians representing all walks of life and other positive factors, Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident of returning to power with a two-thirds majority in the 13th general election.

In making his assessment barely 48 hours before polling opens nationwide on Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said obtaining a two-thirds majority was possible “with a little bit of hard work”.

“In fact, I will be surprised if we do not get a two-thirds majority,” a confident Najib told a group of media editors ahead of the polls, here yesterday.

Najib, who is heading the BN charge for the first time since taking over as prime minister in 2009, said developments on the ground pointed to BN securing between 140 and 155 parliamentary seats in the much-anticipated election.

The BN needs to secure 112 of 222 parliamentary seats to form a simple majority government while a two-thirds majority entails obtaining 148 parliamentary constituencies.

At the dissolution of Parliament on April 3, the BN controlled 137 parliamentary seats.

In the wide-ranging discussion with the media practitioners, Najib, who is Selangor BN chairman, was fairly optimistic of BN regaining Selangor from the opposition.

The chances of wresting Kelantan from PAS’ 23-year-rule were getting better, he said, and expected a turnaround in BN’s favour in DAP-held Penang.

Providing an assessment on BN’s chances in retaining the federal administrative capital of Putrajaya which is being contested by BN and PAS, Najib expressed confidence that its electorate comprising mainly civil servants would vote in BN’s favour.

He noted that support for the BN from the Chinese and Indian communities was on the upswing based on the positive vibes that could be felt during his campaign rounds as well as the tremendous response for people-centric initiatives to boost the well-being of Malaysians of every creed and race.

Najib pointed out that the BN government had undertaken numerous initiatives which benefitted the Chinese, and because of this, he did not see any reason for them to withhold support for Barisan.

“A robust economy, the stock market at an all-time high, the currency getting stronger, big projects such as the high speed train, all these have benefitted the Chinese community.

“Even BRIM (1Malaysia People’s Aid), they have benefitted from it as aid recipients spend the money at outlets operated by the Chinese,” he said.

Najib reckoned that attention showered on Chinese education, such as the construction of more Chinese schools, had put the BN in good stead in the eyes of the community. On the level of support from the Indian community, Najib said: “They are with the BN now and even Hindraf is with us now.” — Bernama#myvote13 #ge13