‘Huge blunder’ to name CM candidate at 11th hour

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: A chief minister-designate is critical to win over fence-sitters, and Perikatan Nasional’s decision to name its candidate for the Melaka polls at the eleventh hour is “a huge blunder”, say analysts.

In particular, it gives the impression that PN is still undecided about who to put forward as the their choice for chief minister.

Former academic Azmi Hassan and James Chin of the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute both say the electorate would like to know who they are voting for.

Azmi said when voters go to the polls, ballots won’t just be for the party of the possible chief minister. The choice of a chief minister-designate was critical for winning over fence-sitters.

He said that delaying the announcement would give the impression that PN is still undecided about who to name as their candidate. “It doesn’t inspire confidence in voters that PN can bring about stability to Melaka should it form the state government. So it’s a huge blunder on PN’s part,” he told FMT.

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