KEPALA BATAS, July 25 — It is “not impossible” to defeat DAP in Penang as Barisan Nasional had defeated the party in its strongholds in the last two state elections in Johor and Melaka, says Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.
“It is not easy to unseat DAP as the ruling government in Penang, but it’s not impossible.
“What is important now is to put our house in order to face the next general election that can happen anytime soon,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Earlier, he launched Penang Barisan’s election machinery at Perda Convention Centre in Kubang Menerong.
He said Barisan had managed to wrest DAP’s traditional seats in Melaka and Johor, and as such, the coalition could also wrest seats in Penang held by the DAP.
Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said there must be no arguments among the leaders and members of Barisan component parties.
He said the coalition must ensure that the relationship among its component parties is strengthened under one big roof.
When asked who will be Barisan’s Penang chief minister candidate in the 15th General Election (GE15), he said the matter will be discussed first, and stressed that all component parties must start their preparations to ensure that Barisan can win big in the election.
“Who is going to be the (Penang chief minister) candidate is not important yet. We must prepare ourselves and make sure we are strong if we want to defeat DAP,” he added.
Mohamad claimed that many voters have realised that they were duped by Pakatan Harapan.
This was proven twice in the state elections of Melaka and Johor when Pakatan lost seats to Barisan, he added.
DAP fielded eight candidates in the Melaka polls last year, but only won in Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hilir and Ayer Keroh. In the Johor election, DAP lost its former seats of Yong Peng, Bekok, Paloh and Pekan Nanas.
Mohamad said he is satisfied with Barisan’s preparations in Penang to face GE15.
Some 2,000 Barisan members attended the campaign, including those from Umno, MCA, MIC and PBRS while others comprised friends of Barisan from the Indian Progressive Party and Parti Cinta Malaysia.
The Penang state government has been led by the DAP since 2008.
