Pakatan works on winning formula for Johor
Abdul Rahim SabriPublished: Jun 14, 2011 9:37 AM | Updated: Jun 14, 2011 12:42 PM
In a rare cautionary statement two days ago, Johor BN chairperson Abdul Ghani Othman warned Umno members that the opposition may win the southern state in the next general election if it secures 50 percent of support among rural voters.
In a rare cautionary statement two days ago, Johor BN chairperson Abdul Ghani Othman warned Umno members that the opposition may win the southern state in the next general election if it secures 50 percent of support among rural voters.
This raised eyebrows, since Johor has always been deemed a BN stronghold, but the opposition has echoed Ghani's warning, claiming that it is possible.
It sprang a surprise in the last general election by winning six state seats - two by PAS in Sungai Abong and Maharani, and four by DAP in Bentayan Mengkibol, Skudai and Senai.
Pakatan Rakyat has since been striving to achieve the 50 percent target by holding various programmes and activities in rural areas in the state.
Johor opposition leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau pointed out that stronger support for Pakatan in rural areas can be seen from the higher attendance at ceramah.
"The ceramah is the most effective way to convey messages to rural communities. After the Sarawak election, the attendance at our ceramah increased by 30 percent no matter how small or big the event," he said when contacted yesterday.
He claimed th
at rural voters had swung to the opposition in the Tenang by-election but it was not translated to votes due to the floods on polling day.
In his opening speech at the Muar Umno division delegates conference, Ghani had suggested a winning formula - to win 80 percent of urban votes, 50 percent of rural votes and 60 percent of Indian votes.
He also said the urban Chinese are leaning towards DAP as seen in the Sarawak polls in April.
Boo did not deny that Pakatan is building its base in the interior region through the setting up of service centres.
The DAP state chief disclosed that his party has opened 15 service centres in rural areas around Skudai, Muar, Tangkak, Labis, Segamat and Johor Bahru.
PAS also working hard
PAS assemblyperson for Maharani Dr Muhammad Taslim claimed that the support of both urban and rural voters has increased since the last general election.
"We are prepared to face the 13th general election. We have a target group and we provide services regardless of political background. They have seen our sincerity. We are doing our best to help them," he said when contacted.
The party has also opened service centres in rural areas including Sungai Balang, located within the Muar parliamentary constituency, and around Johor Bahru, he said.
Other service centres are located in the Malay village of Gelang Patah, Taman Permas in Pasir Gudang and traditional village of Tampoi in Pulai.
However, Ghani's warning may serve as a battle cry to alert the half a million Johor Umno members to leave their comfort zone.
Hasan Ali to stay in exco for now
This raised eyebrows, since Johor has always been deemed a BN stronghold, but the opposition has echoed Ghani's warning, claiming that it is possible.
It sprang a surprise in the last general election by winning six state seats - two by PAS in Sungai Abong and Maharani, and four by DAP in Bentayan Mengkibol, Skudai and Senai.Pakatan Rakyat has since been striving to achieve the 50 percent target by holding various programmes and activities in rural areas in the state.
Johor opposition leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau pointed out that stronger support for Pakatan in rural areas can be seen from the higher attendance at ceramah.
"The ceramah is the most effective way to convey messages to rural communities. After the Sarawak election, the attendance at our ceramah increased by 30 percent no matter how small or big the event," he said when contacted yesterday.
He claimed th
at rural voters had swung to the opposition in the Tenang by-election but it was not translated to votes due to the floods on polling day.In his opening speech at the Muar Umno division delegates conference, Ghani had suggested a winning formula - to win 80 percent of urban votes, 50 percent of rural votes and 60 percent of Indian votes.
He also said the urban Chinese are leaning towards DAP as seen in the Sarawak polls in April.
Boo did not deny that Pakatan is building its base in the interior region through the setting up of service centres.
The DAP state chief disclosed that his party has opened 15 service centres in rural areas around Skudai, Muar, Tangkak, Labis, Segamat and Johor Bahru.
PAS also working hard
PAS assemblyperson for Maharani Dr Muhammad Taslim claimed that the support of both urban and rural voters has increased since the last general election.
"We are prepared to face the 13th general election. We have a target group and we provide services regardless of political background. They have seen our sincerity. We are doing our best to help them," he said when contacted.The party has also opened service centres in rural areas including Sungai Balang, located within the Muar parliamentary constituency, and around Johor Bahru, he said.
Other service centres are located in the Malay village of Gelang Patah, Taman Permas in Pasir Gudang and traditional village of Tampoi in Pulai.
However, Ghani's warning may serve as a battle cry to alert the half a million Johor Umno members to leave their comfort zone.
Hasan Ali to stay in exco for now
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