RAZIF REMAINS CAUTIOUS

Although BN seems to have the upper hand in Terengganu, its state chief is not underestimating any party

2015, has since rallied his supporters to spread his influence beyond his stronghold of Semporna and mount a campaign to topple BN in Sabah.

His archrival is long-serving Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman. Shafie used every occasion to attack Musa and his administration.

There was an occasion last year when he used the train to go to Tenom from Beaufort. But the train had to make an emergency stop after smoke billowed from under the carriage.

Speaking about the matter afterwards in Tenom, Shafie lamented the poor conditions of Sabah’s trains despite 54 years of independence.

“Is this what we want as a sovereign state; trains from the 1950s? InsyaAllah if we govern Sabah tomorrow we will change Sabah’s transport system,” he said.

“We don’t want a buffalo to be faster than the train,” he said.

Opened in the late 19th century, the Sabah State Railway was closed in 2007 for repair works after a major accident.

Last week, Musa took aim at “petty and childish” remarks by Shafie that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was making frequent visits to Sabah because he was “running scared” of losing the state.

Musa said Shafie’s remarks were a sign of weakness.

“His comments were juvenile and the only reason he made them was to cover up his own weaknesses. Only a leader that feels threatened would resort to this type of immature narrative,” he said.

Musa challenged Shafie’s own confidence in taking power in Sabah. “If Shafie is so strong, then why is he worried who comes and how often they come?” he asked.

The writer feels in a digital world, the winner does not always take all

AFRIEND, who is a Pas diehard and a voter in the Chukai parliamentary constituency, is so in awe of Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman’s leadership that he is willing to vote for Barisan Nasional if he is a registered voter in Seberang Takir, the state seat that the Terengganu menteri besar is contesting.

The reason is simple. Razif, who is leading Terengganu BN for the first time in the 14th General Election, has brought about much change to the state since being appointed menteri besar in 2014.

Nevertheless, the challenge he faces on May 9 cannot be underestimated. In addition to overcoming competition from the opposition (Pakatan Harapan and Gagasan Sejahtera), he is also tasked with increasing the state seats for BN to a two-thirds majority, besides capturing more parliamentary seats.

BN holds 17 of the 32 state seats to the opposition’s 15. BN also holds four of the eight parliamentary seats in Terengganu. This was in GE13 where BN had to contend with only Pakatan Rakyat as the opposition. Under GE14, the scenario has changed to a threecornered fight, with Pas no longer in the opposition pact, standing on its own.

What are BN’s chances this time around? Observers say the battle in Terengganu is between BN and Pas, as the opposition pact of PKR, Parti Amanah Negara, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and DAP is less threatening.

A view of the situation on the ground shows that PKR flags, banners and posters are few and far between, while more BN and Pas flags are aflutter.

When met two days after nomination day, Razif did not consider it as something extraordinary. BN does not underestimate any party, he said. On the contrary, he has advised all BN candidates and state leaders not to be too confident.

“We do not know what their strategy is; suddenly, at the last minute, they might come up with something. We cannot afford to be caught off guard.

“Pas appears to be less aggressive, but we need to exercise care,” said the ex-teacher, who replaced Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

BN, too, has emplaced a strategy and plan as the party does not want a repeat of GE13 when it won only 17 state seats.

This time around, it is interesting to note that Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is not only not contesting his state seat in Rhu Rendang, he is also not contesting any other state seat. He is only defending his Marang parliamentary seat.

It is not known what he has up his sleeve, because without a state seat, he will not be menteri besar should Pas form the state government.

Many say it is Hadi’s strategy to show that the party is giving an opportunity to new faces to have a go at the menteri besar’s post.

It could also be a sign that he is not interested in the menteri besar post if BN or the opposition needed Pas’ support if they fail to secure enough seats to form the government after the polls on Wednesday.

On the campaign trail in Kampung Tok Jembal near Terengganu recently, Hadi made it clear that Pas was ready to be the kingmaker if no party obtained a clear majority to form the government.

He went as far as to say that he was prepared to form a coalition government with the other parties, provided BN and the opposition agree to Islamic governance, in line with Pas’ stand.

Razif also said whoever wanted to form a coalition and work with BN would be welcome, as “BN leaders are magnanimous”.

“But, on the condition that there aren’t any extraordinary demands. If they are sincere and do not have an hidden agenda, we welcome it. We do not want their cooperation on the condition that the menteri besar’s post is given to them. That is not right.”

Nevertheless, Razif is positive about BN’s capability. Terengganu, under Razif, has clocked many achievements to the extent that he is acknowledged as one of the five high-performing menteris besar.

Terengganu has witnessed many changes in terms of development of the state and the people, in addition to the practice of healthy politics.

“Looking at the scenario today, Terengganu has no issues. What’s more, there is a new tsunami sweeping the state that gives voice to the state slogan: Terengganu Molek Doh (Terengganu is already beautiful).

“From the young ones to the elderly, they will sing in unison Terengganu Molek Doh whenever they see me.

“This is an advantage for us. The people, especially the younger generation, are thinking out of the box to beat the odds,” he said.

Gong Penaga Umno head Ismail Mohammad, 71, and Kuala Terengganu Umno committee members are confident of Razif ’s leadership.

The committee members of the 30-year-old division said there were many changes in Terengganu under Razif and people were beginning to accept his leadership.

Razif is also confident of wresting back the seven state seats won by the opposition with a slim majority in GE13.

It appears that the people’s support for BN is growing, and it seems that the BN machinery has encountered no issues since those raised during nomination had been resolved.

However, Razif must remain cautious. Opposition candidate for Batu Rakit, Amir Long, when met in Dungun at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s campaign last Monday, claimed that BN would get only 11 state seats.

A senior opposition leader, when told that BN could win 21 to 24 state seats, acknowledged that the opposition would have a hard time in Terengganu because of the three-cornered fights, and with Pas contesting on its own.

Terengganu, under Razif, has clocked many achievements to the extent that he is acknowledged as one of the five highperforming menteris besar.