Latest news with #Malay-majority
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Umno will not abandon BN component partners, says Zahid
SUNGAI BULOH: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed today that the party will not abandon its component partners in Barisan Nasional (BN), MCA, MIC and Friends of BN, no matter what the situation. Zahid, who is also BN chairman, also urged component parties not to be hasty nor threaten to leave the coalition in light of current political challenges. "I tell my (component) partners, currently it's tough, MIC has one seat, MCA has two and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) one seat in Sabah. "We (Umno) also have it tough, only 26 seats, used to be 64 and before then over a hundred. "In times of trouble, Umno will not abandon MCA, MIC, PBRS or Friends of BN. "This is our way, don't threaten to leave during hard times," he said during his speech officiating the Selayang Umno division delegates' meeting here on Saturday. He also denied allegations that BN component parties like MCA were sidelined in seat allocations, including Malay-majority seats, during a media conference after the meeting, pointing out that MCA and MIC were entrusted with contesting in traditional Malay seats. "Which Malay-majority seat do we not give to MCA? Tanjung Piai isn't a Malay seat? Or Ayer Hitam isn't a Malay seat? All Malay seats that we give to MCA means we respect them. "MCA is a loyal BN component partner since a long time back, that's what we will preserve. "The same with seats to MIC, all Malay seats we give are entrusted to them to contest," he said. Previous media reports had stated that former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker was urging the party not to be sidelined during the 16th general election and needed to be given suitable seats to prove their relevance, including Malay-majority seats. In other developments, Zahid urged those who were pressing for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resign to respect the legal process and democratic system in the country, pointing out that Anwar currently enjoyed the support of 154 MPs, or over two-thirds majority.
Borneo Post
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Source: Sarawak to add 17 state seats with passing of Bill
A source has told The Borneo Post that the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 will involve adding 17 more elected members to the DUN. — File photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 6): The number of state constituencies in Sarawak is expected to increase from the present 82 to 99, with the expected passing of the Bill to increase the State Legislative Assembly's (DUN) membership in tomorrow's special sitting. A source told The Borneo Post that the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 will involve adding 17 more elected members to the DUN. However, the source declined to elaborate further, except to say the details will be known once the Bill is presented tomorrow. Meanwhile, a report in news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) claimed that out of the 17 new seats to be created, five of them are Malay-majority areas and two are Melanau-majority areas. Citing a source, FMT reported that the remaining 10 new seats comprise four Iban-majority areas, two Bidayuh-majority, two mixed areas (Iban and Chinese), one Chinese-majority, and one Orang Ulu-majority. The portal also reported that according to its source, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) as the dominant party in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition will be allocated 10 new seats, while the other three coalition partners—Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)—will be allocated the remaining seven. At a press conference on Saturday, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the sharp rise in voter numbers, combined with the vast size of Sarawak's constituencies and challenging terrain, has prompted the Sarawak government to propose increasing the number of elected members in the DUN. He also said the Bill, the only one to be tabled at the one-day special sitting, will be tabled by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. According to Mohamad Asfia, the last review of seat composition was more than eight years ago, in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for such reviews after a minimum interval of eight years. It was also reported that once the Bill is approved by the DUN, it would be brought to Parliament for federal approval. Once both legislative bodies have endorsed the Bill, the Election Commission (EC) will be tasked with conducting a redelineation exercise. The last increase was in 2014 when the number of seats rose from 71 to 82. Previous increases were in 1995 from 56 seats to 62, and in 2005 from 62 seats to 71. In November 2014, the DUN approved a Bill to increase the total number of state assemblypersons from the current 71 to 82. The Bill at that time was tabled by then housing minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and approved by Parliament the following month. This was followed by the EC announcing the proposed 11 additional seats in January 2015. new seats Sarawak State Legislative Assembly special sitting
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Analysts split on PN's chances to retake Selangor in GE16
PETALING JAYA: Political analysts are divided over Datuk Seri Azmin Ali's bold claim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) could wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election. Azmin (pic) who is Bersatu secretary-general and Selangor PN chief, said the coalition could gain 10 additional seats, enough to form the next state government. The statement, made during the Kembara Bersatu Selangor event last month, reignited debate over PN's prospects in a state long considered a PH stronghold. Backing Azmin's claim, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the assertion is grounded in data from the August 2023 state election. 'There may be a reason why Azmin made the claim. If we look at the results of the last Selangor state election, PN needed fewer than 7,000 votes in several constituencies they lost to form the government. That confidence is based on real data,' he told theSun. Azmi noted that several seats were lost by razor-thin margins and could flip with targeted campaigning and voter turnout. He also pointed out that Pas, a key PN ally, has urged its supporters, particularly Kelantanese residing in Selangor, to switch their voting constituencies to the state, potentially shifting the electoral balance. He said PN has a better shot at capturing Selangor than taking over Pahang, another state currently under the Madani government. Among the marginal seats won with less than a 7,000-vote majority are: Sungai Air Tawar, Lembah Jaya, Taman Templer, Kota Damansara, Sekinchan, Sungai Tua, Pelabuhan Klang, Sungai Pelek, Dusun Tua, Batu Tiga, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Meru and Tanjong Sepat. However, Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub offered a contrasting view, arguing that PN had already peaked. 'The major wave during the last state elections saw PN penetrate nearly all Malay-majority areas in Selangor. What remains now are the urban and non-Malay dominant constituencies, which are still under PH control.' Despite unresolved political issues under the unity government, Mohammad Tawfik observed that non-Malay voters – especially the Chinese – continue to back PH, with DAP remaining their party of choice. He added that PN should broaden its appeal among non-Malay voters, particularly in urban areas. 'They must also focus on retaining the two marginal seats they narrowly won – Gombak Setia (58-vote majority) and Taman Medan (30-vote majority).' Similarly, Universiti Utara Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Azmin's remarks appeared to be more about boosting PN morale than presenting a realistic scenario. 'PN appears sluggish and fragmented. There are signs of internal friction, especially between Pas and Bersatu, as well as unresolved leadership rivalries. 'In my view, PN currently lacks a compelling agenda for voters. Relying solely on sentiment won't be enough.' Echoing that view, University of Tasmania Asia Studies professor James Chin said PN's weak support among non-Malays remains a key obstacle in Selangor. 'It is highly likely that PH will retain Selangor due to DAP's strong grip on Chinese support. As long as that remains, it's difficult to see PN making real inroads.' PH won 34 of the 56 seats in Selangor during the 2023 state election. The coalition has governed the state since 2008.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Tug of war for Selangor
PETALING JAYA: Political analysts are divided over Datuk Seri Azmin Ali's bold claim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) could wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election. Azmin (pic) who is Bersatu secretary-general and Selangor PN chief, said the coalition could gain 10 additional seats, enough to form the next state government. The statement, made during the Kembara Bersatu Selangor event last month, reignited debate over PN's prospects in a state long considered a PH stronghold. Backing Azmin's claim, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the assertion is grounded in data from the August 2023 state election. 'There may be a reason why Azmin made the claim. If we look at the results of the last Selangor state election, PN needed fewer than 7,000 votes in several constituencies they lost to form the government. That confidence is based on real data,' he told theSun. Azmi noted that several seats were lost by razor-thin margins and could flip with targeted campaigning and voter turnout. He also pointed out that Pas, a key PN ally, has urged its supporters, particularly Kelantanese residing in Selangor, to switch their voting constituencies to the state, potentially shifting the electoral balance. He said PN has a better shot at capturing Selangor than taking over Pahang, another state currently under the Madani government. Among the marginal seats won with less than a 7,000-vote majority are: Sungai Air Tawar, Lembah Jaya, Taman Templer, Kota Damansara, Sekinchan, Sungai Tua, Pelabuhan Klang, Sungai Pelek, Dusun Tua, Batu Tiga, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Meru and Tanjong Sepat. However, Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub offered a contrasting view, arguing that PN had already peaked. 'The major wave during the last state elections saw PN penetrate nearly all Malay-majority areas in Selangor. What remains now are the urban and non-Malay dominant constituencies, which are still under PH control.' Despite unresolved political issues under the unity government, Mohammad Tawfik observed that non-Malay voters – especially the Chinese – continue to back PH, with DAP remaining their party of choice. He added that PN should broaden its appeal among non-Malay voters, particularly in urban areas. 'They must also focus on retaining the two marginal seats they narrowly won – Gombak Setia (58-vote majority) and Taman Medan (30-vote majority).' Similarly, Universiti Utara Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Azmin's remarks appeared to be more about boosting PN morale than presenting a realistic scenario. 'PN appears sluggish and fragmented. There are signs of internal friction, especially between Pas and Bersatu, as well as unresolved leadership rivalries. 'In my view, PN currently lacks a compelling agenda for voters. Relying solely on sentiment won't be enough.' Echoing that view, University of Tasmania Asia Studies professor James Chin said PN's weak support among non-Malays remains a key obstacle in Selangor. 'It is highly likely that PH will retain Selangor due to DAP's strong grip on Chinese support. As long as that remains, it's difficult to see PN making real inroads.' PH won 34 of the 56 seats in Selangor during the 2023 state election. The coalition has governed the state since 2008.
Daily Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Analysts doubt Azmin's claim that PN can win 10 more seats in Selangor
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: Chia Wan Rou, FMT Text Size: Selangor PN chief Azmin Ali recently claimed that the coalition could take over the Selangor government by winning 10 more seats at the next state election. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Analysts have questioned the recent claim by Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Azmin Ali that the coalition is capable of winning 10 more seats at the next state election. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the voter demographics in several mixed constituencies would make it difficult for PN to gain ground. Advertisement He added that Azmin's confidence could be based on data from the previous state election. 'If PN secures 7,000 votes in the constituencies it previously lost, it might have a chance of forming the state government. 'But in reality… PN's chances in Selangor are slim,' he said. Azmin had said in his speech at a Selangor Bersatu event that PN could take over the state government by winning 10 more seats. PN currently holds 22 of the 56 seats in the Selangor state assembly. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said dissatisfaction among Umno members with the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan (BN–PH) alliance was a key factor in PN's previous gains at the last state election in 2023. He said about 20% of Umno voters shifted their support during that election as they were influenced by negative portrayals of DAP – especially in Malay-majority areas – which contributed to PN's success. 'However, after more than two years, the unity government's image has improved and public confidence has grown. Many Umno members who backed PN may now return to Umno,' he said. 'PN may win a few more seats, but likely not more than in the last election,' he added. The PH-BN alliance lost ground to PN at the August 2023 state election, claiming victory in 34 seats – 32 of which were won by PH – compared to the 2018 election when PH won 51 of the 56 seats. BN won four seats then, and PAS one. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
