BN can bank on Melaka state election win to boost GE15 hopes
29 Oct 2022 10:25am
Image for illustrative purposes only - sinar archive
Melaka may always be referred to as the Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold but, in GE14, it lost its fortress when it only won two parliamentary constituencies, namely Jasin and Masjid Tanah, and 13 state assembly seats, thus, failing to form the state government.
With the wounds of GE14 yet to heal, it then "lost” the Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat in December 2018 when incumbent Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin joined Bersatu, which was then a party under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government and is now a component of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
However, BN bounced back in style in the Melaka state election in November 2021 by winning 21 of the 28 State Legislative Assembly seats it contested, indicating that the party is also ready to win more parliamentary seats in the state in GE15.
According to Melaka BN machinery deputy director Datuk Hasnoor Sdg Husin, Melaka BN aims to win four of the six parliamentary seats, namely Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Tangga Batu and Jasin, as well as eyeing the possibility of clinching Hang Tuah Jaya in GE15.
Listing Undi18 as a challenge for BN in GE15 because it will have an impact on the percentage of voter turnout and support, Hasnoor told Bernama that they have drawn up some strategies to win the said seats.
"We admit we have a challenge with Undi18 because, in the 2021 Melaka state election, they were not automatically registered yet. All the parties will also be doubtful whether they can win over this group in GE15.
Undi18 has been gazetted, effective Dec 15, 2021, and those aged 18 are automatically registered as voters.
"For BN, we will approach this group of young people who are from families supporting BN and also through sports tournaments at the grassroots level, in addition to strengthening the role of BNComms (BN’s social media communications platform) using social media platforms,” Hasnoor said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Melaka branch Faculty of Communication and Media Studies senior lecturer Shafezah Abdul Wahab said BN stands a good chance to win in Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Tangga Batu and Jasin if it fields new faces as this could give its machinery an advantage during campaigning.
She said the new faces need to be free from any court cases, especially those involving corruption, because there is still a strong sentiment against leaders involved in such matters among voters, especially youths.
"BN’s victory very much depends on the candidates to be fielded being clean and free from any court cases and also able to represent young people. In addition, the candidates and the party must also take advantage of social media when campaigning to win over this group of voters,” she said. - BERNAMA
