BAGAN DATUK, PERAK (CNA) – Barisan Nasional (BN) can no longer simply field any candidate in an election and expect an easy win, said United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) vice-president and caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail Sabri said that unlike before, BN has to work much harder and cannot afford to be in its comfort zone due to the challenging political situation these days.
“In the past, when we contested, we were sure to win even if we fielded a songkok (headgear worn by Malay men). But times are changing. The 14th General Election GE14 ) clearly showed us that we cannot merely rely on having the confidence to win many votes easily,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama on Monday.
“Unlike in the past, there is no more guarantee of an easy win. We now have to work very hard.”
During GE14, the BN coalition lost its 61-year hold on power to Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Ismail Sabri said that BN is entering the GE15 ring not merely to compete but to win the polls with a large majority.
BN must become the dominant party in the new government, he said.
“We will only acquire enough power for others to listen to us if we occupy at least 80 seats or a two-thirds (majority). If the party is not strong and unable to dominate, it would be difficult to make decisions and control Putrajaya,” he said.
There are 222 seats in the Lower House. Ismail Sabri also said that Parliament was dissolved so that the people could elect a new government. But this decision has been misunderstood by the opposition, he said.
“When Parliament is dissolved, the opposition should be pleased as there were many accusations about the government’s legitimacy,” he said, according to Bernama.
“So, let the people now decide who should form the government.
“Out of the blue, they (the opposition) are not agreeing to Parliament being dissolved to the extent that they want the matter taken to court.
“I do not understand what they really want.”
