PODCAST For the 20th Middle Malaysia podcast, media consultant Oon Yeoh speaks to political analyst Ong Kian Ming, who often appears in Malaysiakini for his views on election matters.

However, his most recent appearance was for a different reason. He - or rather, his house - was attacked by a bunch of thugs.

NONE He recounts what happened and although he initially thought it was a robbery attempt, he soon concluded it was probably politically motivated.

Ong also comments about the recent attack on fellow political analyst Wong Chin Huat and he shares his theory that those who are associated with Bersih are probably being targeted.

An elections expert, Ong also shares his views on various matters pertaining to the upcoming general election.

He touches on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's remarks that this would be his final election, on when he thinks the elections will be held (the answer might surprise you), and whether Najib's likely timing for the election is good or bad for Pakatan Rakyat.

Poll results scenarios

Ong also gives his views on a wide range of election result scenarios including what kind of results Najib would need in order to survive politically within Umno, as well as whether Umno + Sabah and Sarawak, without the component parties from the peninsula, could form a federal government.

In the past, Ong has said that Pakatan is unlikely to win GE13 and this is still his view but intriguingly, he adds that this viewpoint could change if Najib actually holds the election when Ong thinks he will.

Bersih, he says, is a wild card that the government cannot easily control. He also shares his views on whether Bersih 4.0 is necessary, or perhaps inevitable.

Lastly, he answers the question of whether "politician" is something he might be adding to his portfolio of political roles, which includes political science lecturer, political analyst and political consultant.

His answer could be something Pakatan leaders should listen to carefully and perhaps read between the lines!

Listen to Ong in this 12-minute podcast .

 

Previous podcasts

Podcast 1: Tian Chua, Batu MP

Podcast 2: S Ambiga, Bersih coordinator

Podcast 3: Kee Thuan Chye, author and playwright

Podcast 4: Teresa Kok, Selangor senior exco

Podcast 5: Wan Saiful Wan Jan, CEO of Ideas

Podcast 6: Lim Guan Eng, Penang CM

Podcast 7: Maria Chin, Empower chief    

Podcast 8: Liew Chin Tong, Bukit Bendera MP

Podcast 9: Bersih Atlanta trio prepares for rally

Podcast 10: War correspondent Zan Azlee on Bersih 3.0

Podcast 11: Nurul Izzah, Lembah Pantai MP

Podcast 12: Edmund Bon, LoyarBurok

Podcast 13: Zairil Khir Johari, Penang Institute CEO

Podcast 14: Long Seh Lih, co-founder of LoyarBurok

Podcast 15: Foong Cheng Leong, KL Bar IT Committee

Podcast 16: Wong Chin Huat - will there be Bersih 4.0?

Podcast 17: Tricia Yeoh, former aide to Selangor MB

Podcast 18: Sim Tze Tzin, Pantai Jerejak state rep

Podcast 19: Saifuddin Abdullah, deputy education minister