EVEN on its worst days, Barisan Nasional has never taken a beating quite like that experienced by Pakatan Harapan in Tanjung Piai tonight.
BN did not only regain a federal seat it lost in the last general election, but also handed the ruling pact a drubbing that will surely have severe repercussions.
Here is a list of the winners and losers of the Tg Piai by-election.
Winners
Tg Piai voters
The voters showed the power of the ballot, making their voice heard loud and clear. All around, there were complaints on PH’s undelivered manifesto promises.
The result tonight makes it clear to the government that it cannot dither on its pledges.
Malays were concerned about bread-and-butter issues, while the Chinese largely complained about education-related matters.
PH needs to fulfil its promises before 15th general election.
Muafakat Nasional
It is not clear what this BN-PAS cooperation is all about, as no explanation was given during its launch.
But what is certain is that the Tg Piai result has handed BN and PAS the momentum they need to claim that Malays and Chinese are on their side.
Full steam ahead, BN and PAS!
Najib Razak
For GE14, Johor was the only state that Najib did not campaign in due to his unpopularity there.
But 18 months later, and despite facing multiple corruption and abuse of power charges, the former prime minister appears to have redeemed himself in Johor.
Expect to see more of Bossku in the coming months.
MCA
BN’s Chinese component can lift its head again, showing arch-rival DAP that it has solid support from the community. From having just one MP, MCA now has two.
Tg Piai will be remembered as the day the party rose from the ashes.
Losers
PH
The ruling pact sent a star-studded team, comprising Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, Muhyiddin Yassin, Mohamad Sabu, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng, among others, to bat for its candidate.
But it did not matter in the end, as they failed to read voters. Each PH leader has their own appeal, but Tg Piai wanted “Team Malaysia”, not a team of individual stars.
Government
The resounding defeat is a big, big signal to the government that it has not lived up to the people’s expectations, having at times issued justifications that do not make sense.
Take the much-heralded promise of reduced toll rates, which voters wanted to happen immediately. The Finance Ministry said it must take over PLUS Malaysia Bhd, which is owned by the government-controlled Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Employees Provident Fund, before it can reduce toll charges. What’s happening here?
Gerakan and Berjasa
It might have been an exercise to remind voters of their existence, and perhaps, get some free publicity, but these two parties had very little reason to contest in Tg Piai. Both have little support in the constituency, and stuck mostly to door-to-door campaigns.
While Gerakan has more soul-searching to do, Berjasa has to ask itself why it is still with PAS, which has left it in favour of Umno. – November 16, 2019.
Sayap pemuda Pakatan cabar calon Perikatan isytihar aset, liabiliti
Pakatan challenges Perikatan candidate to declare assets, debts
Don’t fall prey to fake Datuk
Bebek, balado, satay stand out in Indonesian casual dining
Eu Hooi-Khaw
Comments
It is worth noting that BossKu made his appearance after it was clear that Bersatu was going to lose, as he hoped to capitalize on rub-off effect the impending BN win would give himself, not the other way around.
Posted 4 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply
For all its faults, UMNO/BN had the better strategy. PH, especially the Bersatu leadership, would do well to rethink where it went wrong (it almost certainly already knows) and in their selection of candidates. And BNs win was despite the Najib factor not because of it.
Posted 4 years ago by Scm wong · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply