ALOR SETAR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is optimistic of winning at least 10 parliamentary seats in Kedah in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

Kedah UMNO liaison committee chairman, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said this was based on the assessment made by the Jalinan Rakyat BN.

"Hence, to me, the target of 10 winnable seats is not a burden because with the right candidates and our campaign approach and persuasion for voters to choose BN, it can be achieved this time."

He said this at a news conference after the handing out of the 'watikah' (appointment letters) to the BN parliamentary seat candidates in Kedah and filling of the candidature forms at Bangunan Tunku, here, today.

Kedah has 15 parliamentary seats and BN will be contesting all the seats.

On Oct 19, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that at least 10 parliamentary seats were being targeted by BN in Kedah towards winning in GE15, thus enabling the ruling coalition to form the federal government.


Jamil Khir said the experience and good performance record of the BN leaders could be a good instrument in wresting the country's 'rice bowl' in GE15.

"The people in Kedah could see how a change of government before this in administering the state and country was an invaluable experience in choosing a government which could look after their needs and in steering the country," he added.

Meanwhile, Jamil Khir who is the candidate for the Jerai parliamentary seat, admitted that the contest would be stiff as Pakatan Harapan (PH) through DAP would be fielding a Malay candidate.

"Usually, a DAP candidate did not have strong support in a Malay-dominated seat but its approach this time is fielding a Malay candidate who is also a local, hence, there will be a stiff contest," he said.

The DAP has announced that Zulhazmi Shariff would be its lone contender in Kedah for the Jerai seat.

-- BERNAMA