Right strategy boosts BN's chances to capture KL seats - analysts
KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Three cornered-fights in eight out of 13 Federal Territory parliamentary constituencies in the 14th general election (GE14) has enhanced the notion that Barisan Nasional (BN) is poised to seize more seats from the opposition.
Based on the line-up of candidates fielded, political observers expect BN to capture at least three more grey seats from the opposition such as Lembah Pantai, Bandar Tun Razak, Batu and Wangsa Maju.
Political analyst Datuk Anbumani Balan is confident BN could improve its position in Federal Territory but felt BN machinery should play their strategy well to win.
With experienced figures such as the Malaysian Ambassador to U.S. ,Tan Sri Zulhasnan Rafique in Setiawangsa, Wangsa Maju MCA division chief Datuk Seri Yew Teong Look in Wangsa Maju and Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik in Lembah Pantai as BN candidates, voters have the choice to select experienced candidates to serve them.
"The candidacy of Zulhasnan and Raja Nong Chik is appropriate. Raja Nong Chik has always been seen in Lembah Pantai to solve problems faced by the local community despite losing in GE13 to Nurul Izzah Anwar who was seldom seen."
"Now Nurul Izzah has moved to Permatang Pauh, Raja Nong Chik has a clearer path to win the parliamentary seat. More so the BN candidate has been around much longer," Anbumani told Bernama.
Based on nomination day, BN is facing three cornered fights in seven Kuala Lumpur constituencies namely Wangsa Maju, Segambut, Setiawangsa, Titiwangsa, Bukit Bintang, Lembah Pantai and Bandar Tun Razak apart from Putrajaya.
In GE13, BN won four Federal Territory seats, Titiwangsa and Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
The nine other seats in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur are Batu, Wangsa Maju (Keadilan), Kepong (DAP), Segambut (DAP), Bukit Bintang (DAP), Lembah Pantai (Keadilan), Seputeh (DAP), Cheras (DAP) and Bandar Tun Razak (was held by former Keadilan candidate, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who later became an independent MP).
Apart from that, the absence of Batu incumbent Tian Chua in GE14 after his nomination papers were rejected by the Election Commission, may ease BN candidate Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai to capture the seat.
He contested for the first time in Batu in GE13 and is a familiar face in the constituency after having carried out several programmes to assist the people in the area among them I Love Batu, 1Malaysia Plan programmes which focus on the poor, traders, religious activities and Batu resident security would make him a safe bet for better service.
On nomination day, Lau was being challenged by PAS candidate Azhar Yahya and independent candidates V M Panjamothy and P Prabakaran Paramesnaran.
Meanwhile Persiaran Kilang UMNO Youth chief Adnan Abu Seman, a lawyer, has been fielded in Bandar Tun Razak as a bold move to attract the support of young voters in the urban area.
-- BERNAMA
