LANGKAWI: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has predicted that Perikatan Nasional will easily win 5-1 in the upcoming state elections.
He said the alliance led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had a bright future in taking control of five state legislative assemblies, including Kelantan, Terenganu, Kedah, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
"I think PN has great potential where they can win all east coast states (Kelantan and Terengganu), apart from Kedah, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
"But maybe they cannot win Penang," he said at a press conference after the 13th Social Entrepreneur Day Assembly here, today.
Dr Mahathir said his prediction was made based on sentiments among elderly voters, particularly Malays in rural areas.
"The Malay voters' sentiments are not the same as it was during the last general election because a lot of them feel doubtful about their future.
"They see that the economy has not improved, they are still poor and feel the pressure, and at the same time, they do not get guidance or support from the government on how they can progress," he said.
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the possibility of an increased number of independent candidates in the Aug 12 polls, Dr Mahathir said those who do so would only want to undermine the electoral process.
"It will make the election seem as something unserious. I don't see independent candidates being capable of doing anything.
"Perhaps (if they win) they can go to Parliament and speak, but they will not bring any effect at all because they do not represent the majority of the people. Elections are to form the government, not merely to become the people's representative," he added.