Former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's "biggest sin" was to have a 13-day election campaign period for the 12th general election in 2008, so says an academician.

NONE Universiti Malaya's Mohammad Redzuan Othman ( right ) told a forum organised by Merdeka Centre that it was the extended campaigning period that paved way for the political "tsunami" that swept the nation, causing BN to lose its traditional two-thirds majority.

"For Umno people, that is Abdullah's biggest sin.

"In 1999, there was an eight-day campaign period, and that was that," Redzuan told the forum on general elections yesterday.

election campaigning period 140208 However, the 13-day campaign period that Pak Lah, as he is widely referred to, opted for still falls short of electoral watchdog Bersih's demand for a minimum campaign period of 21 days.

Redzuan said that the 2008 political tsunami was only felt during the last four days of the campaign period, representing a huge shift in ground sentiments.

Based on his observation, he said, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would retain his post after the 13th general election, because the BN has proved its ability in form the strongest coalition.

'65 seats within a margin of error'

"The opposition parties can win quite a number of seats, but there are always disagreements among them, so it would be difficult for them to form a ruling coalition," Redzuan said.

Merdeka Centre programme director Ibrahim Suffian said the election results could hinge on the outcome of 65 parliamentary seats, which he said were within "a margin of error".

NONE Ibrahim (right) said these 65 seats which could swing either way, based on a three percent shift in votes, adding, "so, it will be a difficult call (the results)".

However, he admitted that should GE13 be called immediately, as soon as tomorrow, the BN would certainly retain its federal power.

"But then again, anything can happen during the campaign period.

"Just over a month ago, everybody was busy talking about corruption and the national deficit, and then Lahad Datu happened so the whole attention has shifted," Ibrahim added.

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