KUALA LUMPUR: Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man claimed that Barisan Nasional (BN) has lost its influence and power in major cities, especially in Pahang where he is the state assembly opposition leader.
The Cheka assemblyman believes it doesn't add up for the people to still vote for the ruling party's candidate to continue the development agenda in their area yet place their trust in and support Perikatan Nasional (PN).
According to Tuan Ibrahim the actions of the voters are a clear manifestation that the people are rejecting BN. He added that this situation can be observed in several major cities in Pahang, including Kuantan, Temerloh and Jerantut, which are now under the control of PN rather than BN.
"Today, if you look at the major cities, all the opposition parties are winning. BN has lost its influence and power in major cities. Even in Kuantan, PN won. In Temerloh, PN won. Where else? Even Jerantut… PN won despite this being an area of development.
"Logically, in major cities, the ruling party should win because voters want development. But it's not happening that way. This is because the urbanites no longer accept BN. They've rejected BN," he said.
He made these remarks during a speech at the Pelangai Public Ceramah in Felda Chemomoi last night.
Providing another example as evidence of PN gaining support, Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Kubang Kerian member of parliament, stated that the opposition's achievements can be seen from the three state menteris besar governed by Pas.
It shows that the majority of votes obtained by all three Pas menteris besar increased significantly in the 15th general election (GE15) when compared to the 14th general election (GE14).
Meanwhile, two menteris besar and one chief minister in PH-led states experienced a decline in terms of majority votes.
"Former Kelantan Menteri Besar (Datuk Ahmad Yakob) contested in the Pasir Pekan state assembly election in GE14 and obtained a majority of 8,352 votes. Later (in GE15), he obtained a majority of 12,811...a significant increase.
"Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar...in GE14, he obtained a majority of 6,028 votes. Then (in GE15), he obtained a majority of 17,295 votes. If his performance wasn't good, he wouldn't have received as many votes by many folds over.
"Sanusi (Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) who raised one hand. If he raised both hands, who knows (what would have happened). In GE14, he obtained a majority of 2,455 votes. This time in GE15, he obtained 16,050 votes.
"Compare this to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who contested in the Padang Kota state assembly election. In GE14, he obtained a majority of 7,808 votes. But in GE15, he obtained 7,116 votes. His majority decreased.
"Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. In GE14, he obtained a majority of 3,413 votes, and in GE15, he obtained 2,662 votes. Selangor Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri) Amirudin Shari, in GE14, obtained 11,374 votes. This time, he obtained 5,185 votes," he said.
Based on the presented data, Tuan Ibrahim said it demonstrates how the people's support for PN, a coalition between Pas and Bersatu, has not wavered, as evidenced by a sudden increase in support through votes in the previous elections.
