Speech by M. Kulasegaran at Teluk Intan Deepavali Function on Sunday, November 8, 2009

In a press release dated October 6, the Merdeka Centre reveled that moving towards the sixth month mark of his premiership, Prime Minister Najib Razak’s approval rating among Malaysians has eased slightly but remains in positive territory.

The release said , "Merdeka Center conducted two surveys among Malaysians aged 21 and above, the first survey was conducted among 1,027 voters was carried out between 4th to 14th September. The second survey was carried out among 846 adult Malaysian respondents aged 21 and above between 29th September and 4th October 2009".

It also said, "The first survey found that 56% of Malaysians say that they were satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, this is lower compared to 65% recorded in mid-June 2009. Broken down into ethnic groups, the survey found 64% of Malays, 36% of the Chinese and 68% of Indians expressing satisfaction. Overall, the survey found that the number of people dissatisfied with his performance remaining about the same at 23% as compared to 22% in June 2009. "

What can we say about the prospects of Pakatan Rakyat in the next general election, based on the above survey result?

I must say PR has to wake up and start to go all out preparing for the next general election as a united coalition.

For a start, without the strong Indian support for Opposition candidates, there would not have been a political tsunami in last year's general election.. And many analysts have estimated the Indian support for Opposition at last general election to be in the region of 70 to 80 %. With the above survey showing 68% of Indians expressing satisfaction with the performance of the Prime Minister, PR's performance at next general election will be very seriously affected.

This may sound like an exaggeration at this stage. But we must never forget the Bagan Pinang by election where BN candidate won with a shocking majority of 5435 votes. And the BN candidate, despite his tainted image, won all the 8 polling streams. BN's increased support did not come from the Indian voters only.

It is disturbing too when the Merdeka Centre survey also found that 46% of the people were satisfied with the performance of the four Pakatan Rakyat-held states of Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan. "

Again, when only 46% of the people were satisfied with the performance of 4 PR held states, can we not wake up?

When opening the recent DAP Pahang State Convention , I have said that there are a few issues which PR leadership must give its utmost attention and I repeat them here:1. public inter spat among PR component parties must stop.2. PR state governments must be able to deliver to meet or even surpass the public expectation3. PR must be able to provide confidence that it is a better alternative to the BN federal government4. PR must be prepared to go into the next election as one united coalition with common objective and even with one contesting symbol.It is expected that Najib will dissolve the Parliament in 18 months time. But we can never rule out the possibility of him calling for fresh election in 12 months time.

it is important that PR leaders , members and supporters must bear in mind two things-- firstly, we must never underestimate Najib's determination and ability to regain support for BN , and secondly, if we do not learn the lessons of Bagan Pinang by election, the next general election may be a political tsunami against the PR.
Lets all remember our mission to make this a better country and lets all begin to make all out preparation for the next general election.

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