GEORGE TOWN, 15 JAN: Bank Islam’s suspension of its chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin over his prediction of a likely victory for Pakatan Rakyat in the next general election has shown that Barisan Nasional is like a sick man refusing to acknowledge his illness.

DAP Political Education Director Liew Chin Tong said Azrul was merely giving his professional forecast at a forum in Singapore last week.

He said Azrul was reported by Singapore’s The Straits Times to have predicted a narrow win by the PR in the upcoming Malaysian general election as the most likely out of three possible scenarios.

“I was at the forum too. I attended the Regional Outlook Forum 2013 organised by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) on Thursday 10th January 2013 when Azrul presented his analysis.

“Azrul discussed three scenarios, namely a narrow win by Barisan Nasional, a narrow win by Pakatan Rakyat and a big victory by Pakatan Rakyat,” he added.

Liew explained that at the annual regional forum that discussed political and economic trends, speakers were expected to do exactly what Azrul did – to present various scenarios for the year to come and to make predictions.

However, it was shocking when online portal The Malaysian Insider confirmed the speculation that Bank Islam had suspended Azrul as its chief economist over his analysis.

“Malaysia is again the butt of international joke where analysts lose their jobs for making election predictions.

“Is Barisan Nasional a sick man refusing to acknowledge his illness and is rattled by any suggestion that its demise is near?” said Liew who is also Bukit Bendera MP. -The Rocket