SEREMBAN: Barisan Nasional prefers to maintain its underdog status heading into Saturday's (Aug 1) Negri Sembilan polls, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman said that the coalition, which has formed a political cooperation with Perikatan Nasional, wants to avoid projecting any overconfidence regarding the election's outcome.
"As far as I am concerned, Barisan remains the underdog in the state election.
"With only three days to go to polling, I have asked our election machinery to continue their work of engaging with all voters, addressing the issues they are bound to face on polling day and that they remain focused in carrying out their duties," he told reporters after opening the Risda Smallholders Convention (Central Zone) here Tuesday (July 28).
Ahmad Zahid said Barisan was the underdog as it would be up against the incumbent state government which was made up of a coalition of political parties.
"So, under such circumstances, the advantage naturally goes to them," he said, adding that Barisan was however confident it was able to offer voters something different from what they received from the previous government.
He said the underdog tag was also important so that the party would not overlook any target group no matter how small that group may be.
"We feel that holding onto this underdog status is crucial to remind party leaders and the party machinery to not do anything outside the norm or make statements that are unacceptable to the voters," he said.
Asked to comment on a prediction by political analyst and former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming that Barisan and Perikatan are likely to win up to 25 seats, Ahmad Zahid said he would not be distracted by the prediction.
"We will continue to work with humility and our appeal to the voters is to give us an opportunity to transform this state into one of the leading states in terms of economic growth, job opportunities, and attracting both foreign and domestic investments for the advancement of all the people of Negeri Sembilan," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Barisan also wanted to fulfil its pledges in its manifesto which include creating 50,000 new jobs in five years.
On his part, he would assist by providing Technical and Vocational Education and Training so that the workers will receive premium salaries.
"Furthermore, at the federal level, all eight Barisan ministers will assist Negri Sembilan if the voters support our choice of candidates," he said.
Asked about its Mentri Besar candidate, Ahmad Zahid reiterated that Barisan will be able to choose from a list of 10 assemblymen.
"We will name our best candidate when we cross the bridge," he said.
Separately, Ahmad Zahid said he was also glad to note that the turnover for the early voting process was high.
"I hope this positive trend continues on polling day, allowing democracy to be demonstrated in the best possible way," he added.
