CRUCIAL FIGHT FOR UMNO IN RANTAU – WITH MAT HASAN BANKING ON HADI & PAS TO ‘CLEANSE’ HIS SINS WITH MALAY VOTERS AFTER RM10 MIL MONEY LAUNDERING & MINANGKABAU BUNGALOW SPEED BUMPS

REMBAU: After winning two consecutive by-elections in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih, Barisan Nasional is hoping to continue the momentum and ensure a hattrick for the party in the Rantau by-election.

This is following the Federal Court’s dismissal of an appeal filed by the seat’s incumbent, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, to set aside an Election Court decision to declare his victory in the 14th General Election (GE14) null and void.

Mohamad won the seat uncontested in May last year when Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr S. Streram was unable to submit his nomination papers after being denied entry into the nomination centre for not having a pass issued by the Election Commission.

Winning the Rantau seat, which is regarded as “the mother of all by-elections” is crucial for BN, as the candidate positioned by the party is not only a Rantau native, but also the most influential political figure in Umno and BN at the moment.

Mohamad is taking charge as Umno’s acting president with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on leave. His victory is important to revive the morale and spirit of Umno and BN members.

Mohamad, known as Tok Mat among the locals here, contested the Rantau seat in the 11th General Election (GE11) in 2004, defeating PKR candidate Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, with a majority of 6,199 votes.

He maintained his record by defeating a PKR female candidate, Aishah Lamsah, twice in GE12 and GE13 with a majority of 4,613 votes and 3,783 votes, respectively.

However, Mohamad’s clean record has recently been tainted by a series of questionable luxury property purchases linked to him, including allegations that he had broken banking laws by transferring RM10 million via a money-changer to purchase an apartment in London.

Although Mohamad has repeatedly denied misconduct in the scandal, it has not prevented his opponents from using it as a weapon to erode the trust of local folk.

If Mohamad, who is seen as the saviour for Umno and BN, falls in this by-election, it could weaken the party and coalition.

BN’s defeat could instead highlight the success of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is PKR president, to bring a positive message to his party and supporters.

The presence of Anwar in Negri Sembilan politics has a major influence on PKR’s strength, especially when he is touted to become the next prime minister, giving him the advantage to gain the people’s trust and support.

From day one after the by-election candidates were announced, Anwar, who is Port Dickson member of parliament, had been working hard to campaign for Dr Streram, who is not well known among the locals.

The presence of Anwar has sparked perception and mischievous talks that the war in the by-election is a clash between Mohamad and Anwar.

While feedback for Dr Streram has been fairly positive, PH needs to work hard to win the hearts of the people in Rantau.

Although the by-election sees a four-cornered fight, it is safe to say that the presence of two independent candidates in the by-election, however, has little impact on Mohamad and Dr Streram.

The participation of former Canadian radio presenter R. Malarvizhi and former lecturer Mohd Nor Yassin in the by-election is merely to split the Malay and Indian votes.

The Rantau by-election will indicate whether PH’s aura, which drowned BN’s influence of 61 years during GE14, is still dominant enough to lure the locals to cast their votes for its candidate.

Malaysians wait with bated breath as 20,472 voters, comprising 53.43 per cent of Malays, Chinese (18.81 per cent), Indians (27 per cent) and others (0.75) cast their ballots today.

NST

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