Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang believes that a large number of opposition supporters would swing toward Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Teo, who is also the President of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said many opposition supporters were disappointed with Pakatan Harapan (PH) who were willing to abandon their principles for political convenience for the sole purpose of winning the election.

With the significant shift of support to BN, he said the coming election would be a good opportunity for the coalition to win the marginal seats lost to the opposition and form a stronger government.

Teo said all the component parties of BN were ready for GE14 and were awaiting the announcement from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Once the announcement is made and both the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly are dissolved, we will launch into work to repeat history in Sabah – a big victory for BN – and also at the national level,” he said at the LDP Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.

The event was graced by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort, Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah binti Tan Sri Datuk R.M. Jasni, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and his spouse Puan Sri Faridah Haji Tussin.

Teo is confident that many opposition supporters would think twice about giving their support to the opposition parties in the next general election.

He cited that a friend of his, whose wife is a West Malaysian, has in-laws who were strong supporters of Democratic Action Party (DAP) spanning three generations, namely her grandparents, parents and siblings.

“This time, he (my friend) told me that they are disappointed with PH because they have no principle.

“They are willing to work with anyone for political convenience and abandon their principles for the sole purpose to win the election,” he said.

Teo said his friend’s family were left with two choices, either not to vote in protest, or vote for BN candidates.

“I think this family reflects a large part of voters, who used to be strong supporters of the opposition but are now disappointed with what happened to the opposition recently.

“The opposition parties are willing to partner with leaders whom they used to criticize, and now even named Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime ministerial candidate for PH,” he continued.

He said this was a positive sign for BN that a large number of voters would return to the coalition in the next election.

Teo said the shift of support towards BN would provide a good opportunity to win back the marginal seats lost to the opposition.

“This will reflect in the number that would be required to form a strong government,” he said.

Asked if the trend exists in the urban areas of Sabah, especially among the Chinese voters, Teo replied that the national trend would certainly affect the State as well.

“You cannot segregate Sabah and peninsular. We are one country. We are in 1Malaysia.

“The communication methods now are also sophisticated. The comments made at this time can spread to the whole world.

“So emotion and sentiment of voters in peninsular will reflect the situation in Sabah and Sarawak,” he replied.

On another note, Teo said the LDP Chinese New Year open house showed the solidarity among BN component parties where they visited each other and celebrate festive events together irrespective of race.

Also present at the event were Teo’s spouse, Datin Seri Grace Teo, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Upko acting president cum Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hajah Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide, LDP deputy president Datuk Chin Su Phin, LDP vice presidents Datuk Chin Shu Ying and Datuk Lim Ming Hoo, LDP secretary general Senator Datuk Yong Wui Chung, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, MIC Sabah president Datuk V Jothi, Gerakan Sabah chairman Datuk Gordon Leong, MCA Sabah deputy president Datuk Francis Goh, The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri Dr T.C. Goh and Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by BORNEO POST

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