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Nur Jazlan: Umno and Sabah, S'wak BN can capture 135 seats
Published:  Jan 3, 2017 5:15 PM
Updated: 9:20 AM

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamad believes that BN will remain in power in the next general elections, possibly with an increased majority.

He said that Umno could win between 75 to 80 seats, while Sabah and Sarawak BN components could bag over 50 seats.

“Plus-minus, I expect 120-135 seats as the rural areas remain an Umno stronghold,” he was quoted as saying by Business Times Singapore.

He added that opposition Umno-splinter group Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) may win a handful of seats.

However, he relented that it is difficult to determine the impact of a deteriorating economy, rising unemployment, and the 1MDB scandal.

Meanwhile, the report also cited analyst Khoo Kay Peng as saying that BN's non-Malay component parties would be further marginalised.

BN had won the last general elections with 133 seats in Parliament, 88 of which were clinched by Umno.

However the ruling coalition only won 46.5 percent of the popular vote.

Critics have said this was due to disproportionate voter distribution, with more one urban seat equaling to two or more rural seats.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has indicated that the elections will be held soon, but just how soon remains a mystery.

The election will be an interesting one, with more robust but disorganised opposition, fighting a BN government bogged down by the 1MDB scandal and economic problems.

The problems weighing on BN however have not manifested itself at the ballot box, with the ruling coalition winning big in the Sarawak elections earlier in May, as well as the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.

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