CHECKS SHOW ZAWAWI IN THE LEAD
PKR candidate’s approach in campaigning resonates with locals
IF one were to put his ears on the ground in Sungai Kandis now, he would be able tell you who will win the by-election. The two candidates, Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Lokman Noor Adam and Pakatan Harapan’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni are on their last week of campaigning for the by-election, but it seems that the constituents have more or less made up their minds who to cross for on the ballot paper.
Checks by New Straits Times showed that Zawawi has the upper hand over Lokman, given that he is a local and is addressing issues related to the constituents.
Sungai Kandis constituents said Lokman had put the wrong cards on the table, focusing on national issues and attacking the government of the day on its 100-day promises instead of presenting his game plan to improve and develop Sungai Kandis.
In fact, some said Lokman was wasting his time contesting for the state seat left vacant after its state assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Safiei died of cancer early last month.
“This is a state seat and you will be representing us at the state assembly, not in Parliament, not at the Federal level.
“The people know the difference, so why are you promising to fight for lower prices of goods, and you keep harping on the appointments of non-Malays to government posts? We’re not interested in those things,” said a 57-year-old man, who wanted to be known only as Abbas.
Elders in the area said Lokman was sent by Umno’s top leadership to fight a losing battle. Those who applauded the Umno-Pas “collaboration” for Sungai Kandis said the parties would have a better chance of winning if they had agreed on a Pas candidate there. Some said Pas would have been able to attract more voters than BN “simply because they are BN”.
The “anything but Umno” sentiment is strong here.
Zawawi is highly visible in Sungai Kandis, starting his campaigning from Subuh prayers till midnight.
Speaking to NST, he said the community called and texted him, asking him to drop by their area to meet and engage with them.
He seemed to be making promises that he could keep as he told the constituents that unlike before, the state-and federal governments are no longer two different political parties.
Meanwhile, Lokman said it would be hard for him to develop Sungai Kandis as he was from the other side of the political divide. Funding would definitely be an issue.
He, however, pledged to work hard, and provide ideas and solutions to the state despite the fact that it could make the Selangor government look better.
“It’s for the people, I’m willing to cooperate and give solutions to the state, I can bring this to the table with my experience in the Special Affairs Department and Finance Ministry,” he said.
Lokman was quoted as saying that his position as Pemantau Malaysia Baru president should be seen as an advantage by the people of Sungai Kandis.
He has invited Zawawi for a debate, which the latter said “no”. “Lokman would want to talk about national politics.
“This would hold me back for two days, just to focus on this. I’m a community man first, so I want to focus on hearing the people’s voices and demands before anything else,” Zawawi said.
While Zawawi has planted his “roots” all over Sungai Kandis through his work there, Lokman was parachuted in from Johor.
“Simply put, I would pick Pakatan Harapan,” said a 67-year old retired civil servant.
Many have cited the same thing, regardless of race and religion.
However, all is not lost for BN and Lokman. The makcik-makcik kawasan (local aunties) said they were happy that Umno and Pas were working together for the Malays.
One by the name of Rokiah said she was glad the two parties had teamed up as many of her friends were upset with the new government.
She cited a list of controversial issues, such as the shutting down of tahfiz schools and the appointment of the attorney-general, as well as Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran’s pendatang (immigrant) remark made during his speech in Nilai last week.
Rokiah said Lokman did make a lot of sense, which resonated with many in her community.
There are three more days for Lokman to break more ground. Would he be able to tip the balance in his favour?