The methodology used to conclude that the opposition is likely to win 100 federal seats in the next general election is "flawed" , according to Rembau parliamentarian Khairy Jamaluddin.

Speaking to Malaysiakini yesterday, Khairy said this is because the Bersih 2.0 impact is unlikely to be felt in rural areas, even in Pakatan-held states.

"We (the BN) don't doubt that Bersih 2.0 has an effect, and we are mindful of this, but only in certain areas. In rural seats the impact must be weighted.

"To say that up to 20 (BN) seats could fall is overstating the impact," he said when contacted.

NONE Khairy ( left ) was commenting on political scientist Wong Chin Huat's assertion that the Pakatan Rakyat is likely to raise its taking from 75 federal seats to 100 in the next general election, following the July 9 rally by the coalition for clean and fair election.

Wong said that the government's heavy handedness against Bersih 2.0 would be able to sway middle ground voters to cast a protest vote against the BN, if not vote for Pakatan.

Assuming that electoral irregularities do not rise, he said, this could cause the fall of 20 of 30 seats marginally won by the BN in the 2008 general election.

He added that the seats affected are mostly urban or semi-urban, but include rural seats in Pakatan-held states and Terengganu where PAS has a strong grassroots presence.

Cost of living factor

The rural seat includes Sungai Besar in Selangor, which Khairy believes should not be in the list given its rural location.

He added that the real impact of Bersih 2.0 should be measured several months after the rally, as voters would also weigh in the government's handling of the call for electoral reform.

"The rally itself will not determine how people feel," he said.

Khairy, who is also BN Youth chief, added that there are other "defining issues" which would shape voter sentiments.

"Economic issues cut across the board. Rising cost of living have a bigger impact than Bersih 2.0," he said.