According to information from some circles, Malaysia may go to polls as early as
next year. This may be an attempt by the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to prove
his mentor and former PM Tun Mahathir wrong on his popularity and capacity to
regain the sacred 2/3rd majority in Parliament.
The former PM said Barisan may win one or two states back from the Pakatan
Rakyat (PR) but he also added that the Barisan National (BN) will not win back
its 2/3rd majority. This statement from Tun Mahathir is indication that he is
not advising PM Najib on holding the elections as soon as next year.
However, indications are out that elections may come as early as next year, with
the PM being under pressure to 'prove' that he is capable of better performances
than his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“I think the by-elections are quite indicative of rising support for Barisan but
we must not take it for granted.” said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in reply
to a question from The Star newspaper.
On the other hand, local analysts insist that it is more favourable for the
ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to call for snap polls in 2012, amid
speculation it will be held as early as next March, said the Malaysian Insider
today.
The Military in Malaysia think elections will be sooner than expected, which is
what I reported here last week.
One important factor to considered is the Sarawak state polls which should take
place by next year since Sarawak went to polls a two years before Peninsular
Malaysia. The BN has always used the Sarawak polls to galvanize its forces for
the General Elections. The massive victory in Sarawak has always been an
indication of the 'health' of the BN coalition.
But Tun Mahathir has teased Najib on many occasions about the PM's popularity
and BN's capacity to win back the sacred 2/3rd seats in Parliament. He even said
hold the polls early if the PM thought his popularity was undoubted.
Since the decision to decide on the day for the holding of the polls rests with
the PM, it may not be surprising that Malaysia goes to polls as early as 2011.
The PM may be tempted to prove to Tun Mahathir that he is popular and could bury
the era of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, an era despised by Tun Mahathir, once and for
all!
