As political observers see it, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is slowly but surely getting ahead of his political opponents in the mind game.

sivamurugan pandian saiful bukhari sodomy allegations penang 020708 01 Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer Sivamurugan Pandian (right) said Najib had been portraying himself successfully as a people-orientated leader willing to go to the ground and be spot on in solving the public's problems.

He said that Najib's adoption of a concerted and systematic image building propaganda exercise appears to be paying off.

He recalled the first thing that Najib did was to release Internal Security Act detainees from Kamunting, including two former Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) lawyers V Ganabatirau and R Kengadharan.

Later, the academician said Najib set free 10 other detainees including Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar and Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson M Manoharan.

"That was his first step in restoring public confidence in him and the Barisan Nasional.

PM's spin docs in fine form

"Since then he has been ahead in the mind game and slowly winning over the people's approval," Sivamurugan told Malaysiakini.

Anil Netto from social reformist group Aliran agreed that Najib's public relations team and media spin doctors are doing a good job in portraying the premier as a people's leader.

NONE He said whether Najib delivers or not in long run is not an issue now.

However, he cautioned that Pakatan cannot underestimate Najib and should reckon the premier as a tough political opponent, not easily broken when under pressure.

"He is slowly building up a positive public perception about him. He seems successful at present.

"If this goes on, Pakatan would face a Himalayan task in dislodging the BN from Putrajaya in the next election," Anil told Malaysiakini.

He said Najib gestures as his vist to the Batu Caves Hindu temples, his frequent meet-the-people sessions and recent Bagan Pinang by-election victory have boosted his image.

Sivamurugan pointed out that intense bickering within Pakatan is also not helping to stem Najib's growing popularity.

He said that the coalition was being hit by frequent internal problems denting public confidence and undermining its own credibility.

He said Pakatan state governments such as in Selangor, Kedah and Penang have also failed to resolve certain pressing issues to enhance their reputation and credibility.

Pakatan woes boost Najib

For instance the DAP-led Penang government could have resolved the Kampung Buah Pala issue differently, he said.

"But the state government failed to take the initiative," he added

hasan ali umno pas selangor talk quality hotel 300708 06 The PKR-led Selangor government too, he said, should have taken the beer controversy head on before it blew up out of proportion.

Thet 50 percent bumi quota in housing projects and the relocation of pig abattoir in Kedah remain contentious unresolved political issues for the PAS-led state government, he said.

"It seems that the Pakatan governments are still in their honeymoon period," the USM senior lecturer from the School of Social Sciences.

Moreover, Sivamurugan said the infighting in the PKR, PAS' internal differences over the unity talks with Umno and the DAP-PAS clashes are affecting public confidence in the coalition.

Anil said it is important for the Pakatan governments to perform and deliver in their respective states because that would be the yardstick for the people to measure their success.

He said Pakatan governments cannot keep blaming the previous BN state administrations and lack of federal funds for all problems in their states.

Intead, he suggested that the Pakatan governments work out their own programme for the benefit and of the people within their limited resources.

"They should have a common agenda with people's participation to demonstrate that Pakatan can govern the country in future," said the activist.