The tsunami DAP predicts is not going to happen, says Nur Jazlan

Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who is hoping to defend his Pulai parliamentary seat for the fourth term, shared with the New Straits Times his take on his home turf and delved into how hungry the opposition is for Johor.

Question: What do you make of DAP’s mantra of a possible “Malay tsunami”, after its “Ubah” and “Inikalilah” in the previous polls?

Answer: The opposition, especially DAP, failed to share that the party has only limited success in Sabah and Sarawak. To form the Federal Government, you need the support of the people in Sabah and Sarawak. DAP may have succeeded in creating a “Chinese tsunami” in the last election, but it failed to inform its supporters that forming the Federal Government is impossible without the support of Sabah and Sarawak.

I believe the Chinese community is disappointed and feels cheated by DAP. And now, it is trying to promote the “Malay tsunami” slogan, which is not going to happen as the Malays are happy with how the government has been caring for them.

Q: Do you think the “Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad” factor could help DAP secure Malay votes?

A: With Dr Mahathir, it will be about the old Umno. Under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno is progressive. The opposition is bringing in the “old Umno” to replace this Umno. People will realise that the progressive Umno is better and more relevant.

Q: How do you see this “mended” relationship between Dr Mahathir and the opposition? A: Dr Mahathir is being used as a tool by the opposition to secure votes from the Malay community, especially those in rural areas.

It shows that opposition is desperate for support. Everyone knows how many opposition leaders were with him (Dr Mahathir) during his era. It is sad to think that the same opposition figures, who were his political enemies, are using him for their own interest. It is even sadder that Dr Mahathir fell for it.

Q: Is Johor BN ready to accept parachute candidates in the upcoming polls?

A: This is the opposition’s nature. They are not in politics to serve the people, but, rather, to get elected. I have served Pulai for three terms. The people know my track record. When (DAP adviser) (Lim) Kit Siang contested in Gelang Patah during GE13, he won but he did not serve his constituents as he should. He even contested in Penang, Perak and Johor. Maybe his rapid movements is because he needs to run away due to his poor service to the people.

Then, there is Damansara Utama state representative Yeo Bee Yin, who will contest the Bakri parliamentary seat. Why didn’t she contest in Segamat? For DAP, it is about securing places with the best chances of winning. When they fail to serve their constituency, they will move to another constituency and fool the voters there.

Q: How do you think BN and the opposition will fair in the GE14 battle?

A: I think BN will retain power. We may even get a two-thirds majority because the opposition is in disarray. It is clear that it is haggling over seats. Even in Selangor, where it has been ruling for two terms, it has still not decided on its list of candidates for GE14.

To rub salt into the wound, Pas is no longer with the opposition. This has weakened its party machinery, especially in securing Malay votes.

Q: Would you address suggestions that Pas is working together with BN after its fallout with DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (PAN)?

A: Pas is going solo because it cannot work together with other opposition parties. I believe the party has had enough of the opposition’s Q: What is your take on the possibility of the split of Malay votes in three-cornered fights? A: Before Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was slapped with the temporary dissolution, Malay votes were split five ways.

The opposition no longer has Pas to rely on to bring in Malay votes. I think Pas is pursuing its strategy to eliminate PAN. Since PKR is unstable, I believe the battle for Malay votes in future elections after GE14 will be back to between Umno and Pas.

Q: What more do you want to do for the people in Pulai?

A: I want to do more to prosper the people. Since the government initiated the Iskandar Malaysia development project, Pulai has benefited from the billions of ringgit in investments. Apart from creating job opportunities for the locals, the spillover from the investments has also created new businesses.