Close fight of favourites set to break out over Paya Rumput seat

MELAKA: An interesting battle is shaping up in Paya Rumput with the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan naming prime candidates for the state seat.

Barisan will field Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Prof Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, the incumbent Tangga Batu MP, while Pakatan has chosen Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen.

Paya Rumput, now held by Barisan, is under the Tangga Batu parliamentary seat and analysts are expecting a close fight.

Dr Abu Bakar is said to have been moved to Paya Rumput to stifle the growing influence of the Opposition there.

In 2013, Barisan’s Datuk Sazali Muhd Din won the seat by 1,270 votes against PKR.

Sazali has been dropped as a candidate.

Dr Abu Bakar is one of Melaka’s favourite parliamentarians due to his action-orientated approach in resolving issues.

He recently raised eyebrows when he sat in potholes to draw the attention of the local authorities.

However, some of his supporters are not happy that he has been moved to the state level. Many took to social media to vent their frustration but Dr Abu Bakar was quick to nip things in the bud.

“I believe the decision for me to contest a state seat is a wise move.

“I will continue my work to ensure a Barisan victory,” he said.

Dr Abu Bakar, who was previously deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) at University Teknikal Malaysia Melaka and chief executive officer at the Chief Minister’s Department, urged his supporters not to resent his move.

On the other side, Mohd Rafiq said Pakatan’s campaign for the seat was gaining momentum from an estimated 70% of the younger voters aged between 21 and 35.

But he acknowledged Dr Abu Bakar’s popularity and said he was getting prepared for a tough fight.

“We will focus on national issues to woo support,” he added.