The BN was dealt a demoralising blow on the eve of the Bagan Pinang by-election after contradictory motions passed during the MCA’s extraordinary general meeting today threw the party into disarray and left it bereft of top leadership.
Photos by Jong
Before today’s EGM, a couple of political scientists/analysts I know who visited Bagan Pinang last night got the impression that the BN had the edge. They observed that the Pakatan’s campaign was missing some of the earlier by-election “spirit” and felt that Isa would win comfortably.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Bagan Pinang has traditionally been a BN stronghold, and Isa Samad, as a local boy, enjoys conspicuous support – similar to what Anwar receives in Permatang Pauh. The Umno presence is noticeable, and much money would also have been splashed around. At one BN ceramah yesterday, close to a thousand supporters turned up – which is quite unusual for BN ceramahs! (The most recent large by-election BN ceramah I can think of was when Mahathir drew a crowd in Bukit Gantang.)
Also in the ruling coalition’s favour, the BN was probably not banking on the MCA making much headway among Chinese Malaysian voters in Bagan Pinang in any case – so today’s EGM proceedings are unlikely to have a major impact on the result.
The Kampung Buah Pala fallout may have eroded some of the support for the Pakatan among Indian Malaysians. To what extent, it is hard to tell. And for what it’s worth, the Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party is supposed to be launched by Najib today.
And then, there are the postal votes…
But at lunch-time today, a contact in Bagan Pinang reports that the campaign had become dirtier and senses that Pas will win: the party was looking good and sounding convincing and confident at its latest press conference.
This blog will carry live coverage of the close of polling and the results from 4.00pm tomorrow (Sunday).
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