‘TEAM TOK MAT WORKING EXTRA HARD’

A victory for BN in the Rantau by-election will go a long way for Umno and its deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is seeking not only a fourth term as Rantau assemblyman but also the restoration of the party. Mohamad speaks to NUR AQIDAH AZIZI and ADRIAN LAI on his plans to become an effective opposition leader

Question: Unlike previous byelections, Pas seems to be playing an ancillary role in Rantau. Is Umno relying on its own strength this time around? Answer: I don’t see it that way because Pas has mobilised its machinery at the state and federal levels. They are headquartered in Kuala Sawah. They are with us so that we can conduct programmes together. In Barisan Nasional, we don’t have a concept where parties operate on their own. Maybe Pas’ presence isn’t pronounced because it does not have many branches or members in Rantau. Therefore, the effectiveness of our campaign depends on the Umno machinery visiting every home and convincing voters to support BN. That is our way here.

In Cameron Highlands and Semenyih, Pas’ dominance was undeniable because it has large networks in those areas, including voters. In Rantau, we have had to improvise so that the Pas machinery attends every ceramah. The assumption that Pas is lending little help to BN’s campaign is incorrect because many Pas leaders have come here to ensure that the campaign runs smoothly and effectively.

Q: Do you agree that the Chinese and Indian voters are the kingmakers in this by-election?

A: In Rantau, the environment is different compared with previous by-elections. Not all of the Chinese voters support Pakatan Harapan. I am a local who was born and bred here. I went to school here and I tried my best to serve the people of Rantau. I have high hopes that the Indian and Chinese voters will support me. The assumption that the Chinese and Indian voters are the kingmakers is not accurate.

Nonetheless, I’m taking a cautious approach and I’m working extra hard for this by-election. My strategy is to connect with as many voters as possible, regardless of whether they are Chinese, Indian or Malay. I am travelling to every corner of Rantau, but people don’t know that. In fact, I’m well received by everyone I meet. They are, after all, my constituents.

For example, during my visit to Taman Sejati, the Chinese and Indian communities told me: “Datuk, you don’t have to come all this way because we know you”.

I often remind myself that the battle in Rantau is not like the one waged in the general election. There is a possibility that voters will be swayed by the persuasion of my rival’s campaign machinery. During the general election, everyone is focused on his or her constituency, but in this by-election, all the machineries are placing their focus here.

Q: Is this an election you can afford to lose? What impact will losing have on Umno’s image and strength? A: I would like to win if I can, but there are losers and winners in any competition. That’s why I’m working hard and I don’t listen to people’s criticisms too much. I will work hard until the campaigning period ends at the stroke of midnight on April 12. A loss in Rantau will undeniably have an impact on the party because this is the mother of all byelections.

Here’s why: firstly, PH wants to break BN’s momentum, and secondly, I am the acting president of Umno and deputy chairman of BN. There will be an impact if I lose in Rantau, but we’ll have to manage it well if we do lose. However, I’m confident of our strategy and the help given by all the component parties. We are going into this election together as “Team Tok Mat”.

Q: You previously said there is no need for a manifesto as Rantau already has everything it needs. What do PH and BN have to do to woo voters? A: Parliament is in session and many people are unable to come and campaign. But I see all the PH leaders coming and trying to convince voters to support them. The things they will tell voters are “You shouldn’t vote for Tok Mat” and “Here’s why we must defeat Tok Mat”.

On the other hand, I focus on the benefits of having an effective opposition to monitor the PH-led state government.

As state opposition leader, I will put forth any issues relating to development because Negri Sembilan is a small state. We should not rely on taxes to generate revenue.

Instead, we should focus on the revenue generated from development. But because the federal and state governments do not focus on this aspect, they have cancelled many development projects.

I was recently asked about the government’s proposal to increase water tariffs. There is no need because such a move will burden the people.

Based on current conditions, I feel that we shouldn’t place emphasis on generating revenue through taxes. That’s why we need an opposition with integrity in the State Legislative Assembly. Even if (PH candidate) Dr S. Streram gets a seat in the state assembly, he would not be able to add value. But my presence as state opposition leader will add value. I know how the state government is run and I have the experience. If there are checks and balances against the government, the people will stand to benefit.

Q: Will winning the Rantau byelection bolster your chances of becoming the next Umno president?

A: I have no wish to become the party president. During the recent party election, people advised me to contest the president’s post but I’m not someone who covets positions of power. In fact, I wanted to retire from politics, but because of PH’s poor performance, I decided to put my name in for the post of Umno deputy president.

It’s important to work in a party that has good leadership. I am a worker and a manager. I handle everything and this stems from my background in the corporate world.

What is important is the restoration of the party. It is useless to chase after the presidency when the party is weak and has nothing. The top Umno leadership needs to rise and formulate a strategy for the next general election, together with Pas as part of a strong opposition bloc.

Q: PH claims that BN often plays the racial and religious card to win votes. How true is that?

A: To do so in Rantau would be suicidal. In the past, I was misunderstood when I said I pitied Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for having ministers who are incompetent. Immediately, people misconstrued my statement and thought I was being a racist. I was merely talking about their performance and not the racial composition of the cabinet line-up. You can see for yourself how they have performed so far.

Recently, in Sendayan, I said we cannot play up racial issues because it’s very dangerous.

Malaysia is a multiracial, multicultural and multireligious country, and we cannot have such an approach. We see what is happening in monoracial countries like Iraq, which have been torn apart by feuds.

What about Malaysia, which has a plural society? Racial issues are not good for the Malays, Chinese or the Indians because we will all lose out. We would be tearing down all that we have built.

My advice is to stop playing up racial and religious issues. Focus instead on mature politics. Present your blueprint for the people so that it can be reviewed.

That’s why I proposed the twoparty system so that people can judge for themselves which is better. This system will not allow one political bloc to stay in power for more than three terms.

As the opposition, we must always improve our performance and work hard to champion the cause of the people. People may one day give us another chance to govern, on the condition that we change. We want to offer a new deal to the people. The question now is: what can BN offer as a new deal for Malaysians?