Giving light to the truth

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Ahmad Zahid (right) and Abang Johari in a discussion upon their arrival at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The approach by Barisan Nasional (BN) in dealing with perceptions and managing them should be changed in order for the coalition to achieve excellent results in the coming 14th general election, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He acknowledged that perception is something that is very difficult to manage, particularly in the world of politics.

“In the 12th and 13th general elections, I must admit that BN failed in managing perception. We failed to manage perception because the medium of communication no longer relied on the conventional communication methodology.

“As such, we must change the way we address and manage perception,” he told a press conference after attending the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) management meeting at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

Citing the success of BN Sarawak in the 11th state election as an example, Ahmad Zahid expressed his confidence that the same perception management approach used by the state coalition should be emulated in order to achieve excellence in the coming general election.

On the other hand, he reckoned that the opposition might come up with a ‘last minute attack’ to disrupt the positive perception of BN come the election.

“I can feel that the perception among the Chinese community, for instance, has progressively become more positive when compared to the 12th and 13th general elections. But I know that the opposition will use a last minute attack to break down all these positive perceptions,” he said and hoped that the Chinese voters will understand the political reality they will face.

On another matter, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, gave his assurance that the state government’s call for the return of Sarawak’s rights in Malaysia would be discussed.

According to him, this was in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), of which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak often reiterated his commitment.

“The Prime Minister is a man of his word and when he makes a promise, he fulfils it and on my part, I will ensure that the federal government’s commitment towards MA63 is carried out as soon as possible. God willing, issues concerning MA63 will be included in BN’s manifesto as the main agenda for Sabah and Sarawak,” he stressed.

Also present at the press conference were Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Seri Amer Awal.