PEKAN NANAS: Despite the numerous research and predictions conducted this election season, Barisan Nasional will continue to work hard and campaign until the last day, says caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).
He said regardless of the outcomes of all the research, Barisan would leave no stones unturned in this state election, stressing that the party is not taking the Johor polls lightly.
Onn Hafiz was referring to a survey conducted by Merdeka Center, which found that Barisan is currently in a comfortable lead in the Johor state election.
Recently, Merdeka Center programmes director Ibrahim Suffian said Barisan could keep around 40 to 42 seats in the state polls.
He said Pakatan Harapan’s Amanah and PKR could probably bag one and two seats, respectively.
Ibrahim estimates that Barisan has gotten 55% to 60% of the Malay votes presently, compared to the 45% it garnered in the 2022 state polls.
“We are expecting Barisan to win, (but) the big question is on the margin - will they get fewer than 40 seats or more than 40 seats?” he was quoted as saying during a webinar by S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Ibrahim also cited a survey conducted in May before the Johor state assembly was dissolved, where Onn Hafiz garnered positive ratings among locals across all major racial groups and ages.
“The state government received a 79% approval rating, yet at the federal level, only 44% are satisfied with the federal government - I would say this is largely due to partisanship, as only maybe about one-third of Barisan voters will give positive ratings for the federal government,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Ibrahim stressed that these ratings may not translate into votes.
