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- Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
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- Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh
SIBU: The issues sensationalised by the opposition will not affect Barisan Nasional (BN)’s chances of winning in the 14th general election (GE14), in that the current ruling coalition has been managing such issues quite well.
According to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, there is no country or political system that is ever spared from crises and issues – each has experienced its own ups and downs.
His remarks came following views by political analysts that BN would retain power in the next election.
Specifically, Asia Institute of University of Tasmania director Prof James Chin had said that BN would win in GE14 as the decisive and majority votes would still come from the rural areas.
“At the rate we are going, I have full confidence that BN will still be in power after GE14. Definitely there’s unhappiness here and there, as well as issues cropping up that are being sensationalised by the opposition, but that is normal.
“We just need to manage such crises well and strive to instil confidence in the general public. So far, Malaysia has done pretty well and despite issues like 1MDB, the economic outlook for Malaysia is still much better than most other countries.
“It is on this note that I feel the people will still vote for BN. The opposition is much needed as well, for checks and balances,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Meanwhile, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said Sarawak would again deliver the resounding victory to BN in GE14, particularly if the federal government could fulfil the promises made during the state election in may this year.
“I hope the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and all ministers who came to help us in the state election, could fulfil the promises in time for GE14 – that would give us a lot of help.
“If that’s done – of course, I think Sarawak will again deliver a resounding victory to BN,” Wong told reporters after the soft-opening of the general office, multi-purpose hall and parsonage of Iban Methodist Church at Fong Ming Road here on Saturday.
Out of the 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak, 25 are held by BN, five by the DAP has five and one by PKR.
State BN secretary-general Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said BN Sarawak would be able to defend its 25 parliamentary seats and perhaps, wrest three from the opposition.
He also said the BN election machinery was still very much intact having just facilitated the May state election.
State Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol, who is Semop assemblyman, added that all the federal government’s promises and pledges must be fulfilled.