‘BN versus BN’ claims not conducive for BN chances’

by Samuel Aubrey, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on April 17, 2012, Tuesday

 

Datuk Peter Minos

KUCHING: The perennial allegations of ‘BN versus BN’ campaigns by some Barisan Nasional (BN) parties could pose a snag to the ruling coalition in the coming 13th general election, said political observer Datuk Peter Minos.

He has his strong reasons to be worried as he believes the 13th general election is now very near, with the most likely date to be sometime in middle of June, following the directive given by BN to leaders of its component parties to submit their lists of election candidates within the next two weeks.

His worries stem from concerns expressed by his contacts in Umno that problems in the smaller BN parties could affect BN’s performance at the polls.

“My Umno contacts told me that Umno is now in the mood and is ready. Morale is high. The only snag is the perennial ‘BN versus BN’ in some BN component parties.

“Umno people are asking — ‘why cannot these smaller BN parties do some compromising and make peace as election is coming? Small yet so messy and hitting each other, what’s the point?” he said when contacted yesterday.

Minos, also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy information chief, hoped the situation would be resolved soon so that BN would be a strong and united force come the election.

On when the election should be held, Minos said June would be the most suitable because the people would still remember what BN had been doing such as the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M).

“There is a feeling of appreciation. If later, the feeling may be gone. Must not lose the feel-good feeling… So to the candidates and parties, be ready and be prepared. Action now and less talk,” he said.

BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was quoted as saying in news reports that letters were sent yesterday to the component parties to submit their lists of candidates.

Tengku Adnan, also Umno secretary-general, had also said the directive came from BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.