Sunday May 12, 2013

GE13: Zin blames PR cybertroopers over disappointing performance in Selangor

By TEH ENG HOCK
enghock@thestar.com.my

SHAH ALAM: Barisan Nasional has attributed its disappointing performance in Selangor to the inability to counter allegations made by Pakatan Rakyat's cybertroopers, particularly those from the DAP.

“The cybertroopers have managed to convince young voters, particularly the Chinese and the urban folk, to vote against Barisan,” said Selangor Barisan coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Selangor Barisan candidates, he said the level of rejection by Chinese voters was “shocking”, with only 5% to 15% of the community voting for the coalition.

“We had based our winning formula on getting 60% of Malay votes, 30% of Chinese votes and 60% of Indian votes,” he said, adding that they had done all they could to reach out to the Chinese and Indians.

On Malay support, he said Barisan received 70% to 75% in rural areas, 60% to 65% in semi-urban areas and 50% to 55% in urban areas.

“Barisan had the backing of 50% of Indians in rural areas and 35% to 45% in semi-urban and urban areas.

“The Indian votes were slightly improved (compared to 2008) but not as high as we expected.

“And unless we could get 25% of Chinese votes, we stand no chance. In some areas, it was as low as 5%.”

In seats where the Chinese made up between 20% and 30% of voters, Barisan won one parliamentary seat (Hulu Selangor) out of the four contested. Of the state seats with that racial composition, Barisan won four (Permatang, Kuang, Kota Damansara and Semenyih) out of 13 seats.

Where the Chinese comprised between 30% and 40% of the electorate, he said Barisan won one parliamentary seat (Sungai Besar) out of six, and lost all eight state seats.

Mohd Zin said Barisan failed to win any seat where Chinese made up more than 40% of the electorate.

“The only place we could survive was where the number of Chinese voters was below 20%,” he said.

Asked if there was also a rejection of Barisan by urban voters in Selangor, Mohd Zin said “yes”.

Based on popular votes, he said Barisan trailed Pakatan by nearly 400,000 votes, most of which were in the urban seats.

“The areas which we won are all in north Selangor, except for Dengkil where we have 70% of Malay support, and Kota Damansara and Semenyih because there were split votes (among the Opposition candidates),” he said.

Mohd Zin said there had been some internal sabotage during the campaigning but it was not a key factor in determining the outcome.

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Sunday May 12, 2013

GE13: Zin blames PR cybertroopers over disappointing performance in Selangor

By TEH ENG HOCK enghock@thestar.com.my

By TEH ENG HOCK
enghock@thestar.com.my