KUALA LUMPUR – Former cabinet minister and five-term Umno MP Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar has predicted that Barisan Nasional (BN) may taste a heavy defeat in the 15th general election.
He opined that the BN component parties’ failure to reform and adjust to the current political climate would lead to its fall tomorrow.
“Umno refuses to reinvent its image and they are still in dreamland. And that includes the MCA and MIC style of politics that is very old,” Syed Hamid told The Vibes.
He said that based on his observation and intelligence gathering on the ground, BN was working on limited funding and applying the same modus operandi of communication to voters that was unattractive to voters.
“BN didn’t realise that they are outdated, still unable to shake its traditional way and the worst part of it, there is no single clear direction about its future.
“I was told that the party workers didn’t get the payment they were promised, the campaign machinery was not running smoothly.
“BN activity is seen in some pockets of areas and not throughout this time. You can see it on the ground and you can ask from their party workers and supporters and all the grassroots,” he said.
On Perikatan Nasional (PN), he said: “PN looks like they have unlimited funding and their cyber mode is effective and the way they portray themselves is quite interesting.”
He noted that BN’s insistence of sticking to the old image, “are deemed callous to the emotion and feelings of the rakyat”
“BN cannot simply look at Johor and Melaka elections because the voter turnout was very low. Even the candidates for this general election that they put in certain areas consist of a lot of misfits.
“The candidates may be politically right but they are not right for their area of constituency, the wrong fit.
“If you look at candidates in Perlis, for example, and there are still old hands not challenging the status quo of Umno and still they are contesting even though they are not suitable for that seat.
“In Gerik, for example, you don’t sort out local feelings, their vibes and you just put in a candidate which has not been accepted by the local leaders,” he said, obviously referring to BN candidate and Umno Youth chief Datuk Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki.
However, Syed Hamid singled out caretaker health minister Khairy Jamaluddin as projecting a refreshing and reformed image especially to the urban population.
“Khairy understands the message from the liberal Malays and urban voters who always highlight governance and corruption.
“These are the groups that are coming up more among the Malays,” said the five-term Kota Tinggi MP who quit Umno before the 14th general election and joined Bersatu.
He feels that Khairy may need to find a new platform should BN lose the 15th general election.
“It is clear Khairy has disassociated himself from Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, looks like nobody in Umno trusts him and Umno old guards also don’t like him except the liberal Malays,” said the 78-year-old former Land Public Transport Commission supremo.
“People will remember him (Khairy) and he has to find a new platform if he wants to continue his political career.”
When asked should BN lose and Khairy win the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat, Syed Hamid said: “There are two options in Umno since he is still not popular in the party – he quits Umno or he stays on and fights his way.
“Khairy is considered as arrogant in Umno because he hasn’t shown humility and at times, he wants to show that he is the best-dressed person, he is a good model and a good actor.”
“I have a feeling that the Chinese voting turnout is going to be very high, around 80%.
“Unless there is some kind of miracle, I think it will be PH since BN doesn’t seem to have the resources,” he said.
He also said Pakatan Harapan may clinch over 90 seats and would look to Sabah and Sarawak to form a new government.
“Sabah and Sarawak political blocs are the kingmakers. It is likely that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will lead Putrajaya provided that PH approaches Sabah or Sarawak to form a new government.”
“They have to work with Sabah and Sarawak since they have 56 seats and if they can get 30 seats, that will be enough.”
“And they already made a public announcement that they cannot work with BN or PN to form a new government.
Syed Hamid admits that Anwar does look appealing to middle-ground voters.
He said that DAP stands on a good platform for the future as a national political party since its popularity is gaining traction among the Malays especially in the urban and semi-urban areas.
“So if DAP can get the people in the middle ground to support them, they will be the party of the future.
“Lately, we even have retired senior government officers now who are willing to speak on behalf of DAP and correct the misinformation about DAP, for example, on the rumour that PH would remove pensions.
“Many people didn’t realise that the subject of pension cannot be touched since it is already part of the federal constitution that you cannot do away with pension.”
Syed Hamid held numerous portfolio ministers in the cabinet that include defence, home, foreign and justice and currently is not a member of any political party.
“I am keeping myself occupied focusing on my law firm and voluntary work for humanitarian causes via an international non-governmental organisation. But I still keep tabs on the local political scenario especially in this election,” he added. – The Vibes, November 18, 2022
