ANOTHER DIRECT BN CANDIDATE?
Party likely to pick a local with exceptional religious credentials
BARISAN Nasional is expected to field another direct candidate for the upcoming Semenyih byelection. In a similar strategy that resulted in its victory during the Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, BN will likely focus on Malay voters, who, at 68 per cent, form the majority of the electorate for the state seat.
Sources say the candidate, who is said to be a middle-aged Beranang local, possesses exceptional religious credentials as demanded by the Malay community, based on an analysis by a team on the ground.
“Feelers were sent a week after the seat became vacant. From the feedback gathered, locals want a candidate with a religious background.
“Non-Muslims appear to be indifferent to the sentiment, as long as their cultural and religious practices continued to be respected.”
The Semenyih by-election was called after the death of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, on Jan 11 due to a heart attack.
BN will continue to cooperate with Pas’ machinery and the cooperation is expected to zero in on cluster campaigns.
“About 70 per cent of the registered voters are above 50. We need someone who has the ability to meet their demands and sentiments,” said a source.
Earlier, it was reported that the Hulu Langat Umno division had nominated six names as candidates, save for its chief, Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz.
However, sources said all six did not make the cut based on the ground analysis.
Analyst Dr Faridzwan Abdul Ghafar said as a semi-rural constituency, Semenyih is home to voters who live as a community.
He said most of the Semenyih population are Malays from the Minangkabau community.
“It will be an advantage for BN or Pakatan Harapan if they field a Minangkabau Malay as a candidate in the election.
“A candidate’s impressive academic achievements may not be important to locals. It is more important for the person to be familiar with rural customs and the community’s lifestyle.”
BN is scheduled to announce its candidate tomorrow at 5pm.
Currently, the by-election is expected to be a four-cornered fight between BN, PH, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and an independent candidate Kuan Chee Heng.
Nomination will take place this Saturday and polling has been fixed for March 2.