Problem-plagued BN trailing surging PKR .

From http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/news/general/4834-problem-plagued-bn-trailing-surging-pkr

By Zainal Epi

KUALA KUBU BARU: With two more days to polling for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat, Barisan Nasional is trailing PKR.

The BN still has to tackle numerous issues which its campaigners find it hard to do because these are policy matters which only the top leaders can decide.

Some of the issues concerned the Felda Sungai Buaya land mortgaged to a bank, uncertain future for Chinese in new villages with temporary occupancy licence and contradictory statements by BN leaders over 1Malaysia.

For example, a big banner in Kampung Assam Kumbang shows Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak with its 1Malaysia concept while his deputy MuhyiddinYassin talks about being a Malay first and Malaysian second.

In the BN camp, MCA supporters are finding it hard to penetrate Chinese new villages, while MIC is riven with internal problems. Umno is faring no better: it is depending largely on Najib’s charisma to do battle in “tough areas”.

It is truly becoming an uphill fight for BN although the three state seats in Hulu Selangor are held by them – Ulu Bernama and Batang Kali (Umno) and Kuala Kubu Baru (MCA).

The ruling coalition started off as a favourite to win back the seat it lost in the March 2008 general election. But by Wednesday, it found itself in an awkward position as its strategy of development did not seem to go down well with the 64,500 voters.

Strong PKR tide

In fact, the personal attack on PKR’s candidate Zaid Ibrahim seemed to have backfired; even the so-called “shocking” move by its division treasurer Dr Halili Rahmat to cross over to Umno has had little effect on the voters.

However, BN is now banking on Najib’s his walk-about campaign to reverse its fortune.

Najib was in Bukit Sentosa on Wednesday night and visted several places yesterday to push back the strong PKR tide.

“Najib’s presence will boost our chances as he is the only leader who is trusted by voters of all races,” said one campaigner.

In the meantime, PKR’s campaign is moving into top gear, with de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim leading the charge against BN on every issue.

Tomorrow night, PKR will stage a big show when PAS spiritual chief Nik Aziz Nik Mat delivers a speech in Felda Sungai Lenggi.

While the warring parties are trying to win the hearts and minds of the voters, local “political analysts” who themselves are voters are predicting that PKR is expected to retain the seat.

“We know this for sure: as of now, BN is still trailing and if it does not pick up fast, PKR will win with a big majority,” said a shopkeeper who wishes to remain anonymous.