KUCHING: A political analyst believes that the 1MDB issue, high cost of living and housing problem would remain the main hurdles for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th general election (GE14).
Datuk Peter Minos said these three ‘nagging’ issues would require BN to ‘really explain and convince the voters’.
He also believed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would not wait too long to call for GE14 – most probably this March.
This, said Minos, is due to several factors favouring the government, such as improvement in nation’s economy as seen by growth in gross domestic product (GDP).
“The nation’s economy is showing some signs of positive improvements as seen by the growth in GDP, exports and also the national reserves – the ringgit is also up, at RM4 and below per US dollar,” said Minos, who is Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman.
He pointed out that the ‘little wobbling’ in the dollar and certain rise in oil demands and prices helped the economy further.
In this regard, he stressed that BN must take full advantage of the current economic situation.
He also opined that the present disarray within the opposition would also help BN.
According to him, the opposition is not in the best position, being undecided on many issues and unable to reign in fellow opposition party, PAS, for them to unite and fight together against BN.
“Splits and indecisiveness in the opposition ranks are plus factors to BN – the BN leaders must jump in and decide on the general election as the opposition is in disarray; the sooner (GE14), the bette,” said Minos.
Another plus factor should GE14 be held soon is the ‘ready to fight’ mood in BN as indicated in the latest executive committee meeting in Putrajaya.
He also said GE14 would be the ‘Mother of all Malaysian elections’ – perhaps due to the return of a veteran politician who is leading the opposition pact.
“It will be a tough election – some say it would be a big clash between Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and I agree to a certain extent,” Minos said.