YTL closing in fast on BN, Ku Li - KJ factor starting to make a difference in Galas
from Wengernomics
Updates from the middle lap in the campaign for the 2 by elections.
In Sabah, Yong Teck Lee has the BN campaign in panic mode. He is using the same talking points brought up by Tun Dr Mahathir, i.e. the Block L & M issue, which is beginning to resonate with the population. This is not the first time, Mahathir has provided ample ammunition to the Opposition in attacking the Government. In fact, leading up to the 12th General Election, Dr. Mahathir was practically the Number 2 draw in the Opposition camp, after Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
(But now he says he supports Government.)
The second issue is the penetration of the Internet into the rural hinterland in Sabah. The Sabah people are beginning to be up to date on Peninsular issues and consume some of the pro UMNO bloggers commentary, which is proving to be to BN's detriment.
But I have understood that the situation may change shortly. The BN machinery is beginning to wake up to the idea that KJ is the best public face for them to face the Opposition. In fact, many agree that if having KJ campaign in a constituent is easily worth an additional net 1,000 votes.
This is the difference between a person like KJ and person like Dr. Mahathir. Whilst both can rightfully claim to have supporters, KJ's support base is not a net negative, but a net positive. What it means is that if Dr. Mahathir campaigns, he can perhaps attract 400 votes, but the BN will lose 1,000 votes, leading to a net loss of 600 votes. If KJ were to campaign, he attracts supporters without attracting brickbats. So he converts new supporters, whilst retaining the old ones.
Thus, it is perhaps increasingly likely that Batu Sapi will see a more tactical use of BN's number one asset, the Ketua Pemuda. After all, the Generation X and Generation Y which represent 50% of the electorate is solidly behind the Ketua Pemuda, and given the tight race developing in Batu Sapi, it is now imperative that the Ketua Pemuda be deployed to save BN's in its "fixed" deposit state.
One can perhaps understand clearly how important the KJ factor is by considering the election race in Galas. Considered a gone case only a few months back, the situation now is totally different.
The strong team of Tengku Razeligh and KJ is starting to cause the PAS Government a real head ache. The BN machinery is getting thru the population with its message and the best thing of all, those narrow minded bigots from Perkasa have been asked to stay clear of this election. This ban extends to the Perkasa patron, the nefarious Dr. Mahathir who is now regarded as an electoral liability.
I think the results of this election will have a huge impact on the Government. The Government is beginning to see that excluding the Generation X and Generation Y from the decision making process is only making things worse. Its about time, they start to build on this winning formula rather than constantly defer to discredited leaders who cause more harm than good to the party.
In Sabah, Yong Teck Lee has the BN campaign in panic mode. He is using the same talking points brought up by Tun Dr Mahathir, i.e. the Block L & M issue, which is beginning to resonate with the population. This is not the first time, Mahathir has provided ample ammunition to the Opposition in attacking the Government. In fact, leading up to the 12th General Election, Dr. Mahathir was practically the Number 2 draw in the Opposition camp, after Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
(But now he says he supports Government.)
The second issue is the penetration of the Internet into the rural hinterland in Sabah. The Sabah people are beginning to be up to date on Peninsular issues and consume some of the pro UMNO bloggers commentary, which is proving to be to BN's detriment.
But I have understood that the situation may change shortly. The BN machinery is beginning to wake up to the idea that KJ is the best public face for them to face the Opposition. In fact, many agree that if having KJ campaign in a constituent is easily worth an additional net 1,000 votes.
This is the difference between a person like KJ and person like Dr. Mahathir. Whilst both can rightfully claim to have supporters, KJ's support base is not a net negative, but a net positive. What it means is that if Dr. Mahathir campaigns, he can perhaps attract 400 votes, but the BN will lose 1,000 votes, leading to a net loss of 600 votes. If KJ were to campaign, he attracts supporters without attracting brickbats. So he converts new supporters, whilst retaining the old ones.
Thus, it is perhaps increasingly likely that Batu Sapi will see a more tactical use of BN's number one asset, the Ketua Pemuda. After all, the Generation X and Generation Y which represent 50% of the electorate is solidly behind the Ketua Pemuda, and given the tight race developing in Batu Sapi, it is now imperative that the Ketua Pemuda be deployed to save BN's in its "fixed" deposit state.
One can perhaps understand clearly how important the KJ factor is by considering the election race in Galas. Considered a gone case only a few months back, the situation now is totally different.
The strong team of Tengku Razeligh and KJ is starting to cause the PAS Government a real head ache. The BN machinery is getting thru the population with its message and the best thing of all, those narrow minded bigots from Perkasa have been asked to stay clear of this election. This ban extends to the Perkasa patron, the nefarious Dr. Mahathir who is now regarded as an electoral liability.
I think the results of this election will have a huge impact on the Government. The Government is beginning to see that excluding the Generation X and Generation Y from the decision making process is only making things worse. Its about time, they start to build on this winning formula rather than constantly defer to discredited leaders who cause more harm than good to the party.
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