A survey conducted by Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) showed that 59% of 1,761 registered voters in all of Selangor’s 56 constituencies supported the administration of PH in the state, while BN only received 29% of the support.
This, said IDE’s Deputy Chairman Mohammad Redzuan Othman, showed the internal conflicts faced by PH over the past couple of years have not severely affected its popularity in the state.
However, with BN’s hold on the mainstream media, its alleged gerrymandering and much better financial resources, results of the 14th General Election for the state of Selangor can go either way, he added.
“In elections, the trend can change. Although BN only has 29% support for now, come election time, the percentage can go up a further 15%,” said Mohammad Redzuan during a press conference at Carlton Hotel here today.
“Because BN has a lot of strategies, with the media, with the gerrymandering, it wouldn’t be impossible that their support can increase by 15%. That’s what we’ve seen in past elections.
“PH, on the other hand, can get a maximum 5% extra support and even that is already considered high.”
He also said that the survey, which was done from Aug 26 to 30, revealed that in a straight battle between BN and the Opposition, the latter has a higher chance of coming out victorious.
However, the same may not happen in a three-cornered fight.
“The Opposition, in a three-cornered competition, will be split,” said Mohammad Redzuan.
“But regardless of a straight fight or a three-cornered fight, BN’s support base will remain pretty much the same.
The survey slides backed his statement, showing that when going against any two Opposition parties, BN’s support continued to hover around 35% to 41%.
For the Opposition, when PAS is included as the third competitor, support only stands around 3% for Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), 35% for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, 38% for DAP and 48% for PKR.
When asked about the poor support for Amanah despite having contested for the state’s Sungai Besar election just two months prior to the survey, Mohammad Redzuan said many were apparently still unaware of the party’s existence.
“When we did the survey, we asked if the respondents had heard of PPBM and 35% said ‘Yes’.
“This is different from Amanah.
“This is because PPBM has appeared in the mainstream media numerous times, but not Amanah.
“Like it or not, our people are influenced by the media. On top of that, PPBM has (former Premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is well known by people.
“Even the youths see Mahathir as an icon. He has a strong aura.”