Headline Loyal supporters, commitment of election machinery contribute to victory MediaTitle Borneo Post (KK) Date 02 Jun 2014 Language English Circulation 88,150 Readership 166,173 Section Home Color Black/white Page No 10 ArticleSize 245 cm² AdValue RM 1,411 PR Value RM 4,233 Loyal supporters, commitment of election machinery contribute to victory TELUKINTAN: Barisan Nasional's (BN) victory in the analyst, Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, Teluk Intan parliamentary by­election proved that its who believed that Mah's track record in Teluk Intan and candidate, Datuk Mah Siew Keong, still had the support of also at the cabinet level, as well as his good relations with local voters, compared with DAP which relied on outside the locals were also contributing factors. voters. He also Said BN's strategy, among others, in introducing This was evident when Mah was still able to garner almost, a manifesto, which suit the local needs, also played a role the same number of votes this time around with that in the in making the voters to opt for the coalition. 13th general election, although the voter turnout saw a "The promises, like upgrading their standard of economy, drop of 8,000 people. tourism, building a university, these are what the locals, In the last general election, Mah obtained 20,086 votes, who have been staying there for so long, want," he added. and in Saturday's by­election he was able to secure 20,157 On what the BN needed to focus on to retain the seat votes, hence defeating DAP candidate Dyana Sofea Mohd in the next general election, Dr Sivamurugan said the Daud with a 283 majority votes. coalition had to move as one party, instead of as component Political analyst Md Shukri'Shuib, when contacted by members of the coalition. Bernama, said Saturday's result showed that the support "Mah's main challenge now is to fulfill the manifesto and for BN among the constituents had not budged, although his responsibility as an elected representative. the overall voter turnout showed a drop from that of the "He should interact and get close to the young people so 13th general election. that they do not see only the party factor, but to make an "For this, we can praise the BN election machinery, the overall evaluation," he added. leaders and members, as well as the party canvassers in Deputy head of the National Council of Professors' Teluk Intan," he added. ^ Political, Security and International Affairs Cluster Prof DAP secretary­general Lim Guan Eng, in his speech at Dr Jayum Jawan, said BN should not be contend with its the party's operation centre after the result was announced, win in yesterday's Teluk Intan by­election, reminding admitted that the low voter turnout was among the reasons the coalition of the huge challenge awaiting it in the 14th for DAP's loss in {he by­election. general election. On the loyalty of BN supporters, Md Shukri, a lecturer This, he said, was because BN won the Teluk Intan at the School of Politics and International Studies,. parliamentary by­election only with a slim majority. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), said it could be due to "It is true BN won, but the voter turnout was low. This their confidence in ISJah, who used to be their member of does not give the indication that it can win in the next parliament­. general election, although the win does give the dose needed Md Shukri's views was shared by another political for it to continue to work towards getting a bigger majority," he added. ­ Bernama.