BY-ELECTION FEVER GRIPS RANTAU
Quiet town in Negri Sembilan experiencing festive atmosphere ahead of April 13 polls
THE usually quiet and slow pace of Rantau took a different turn the moment the Election Commission (EC) announced that a by-election would be held this month.
In fact, the buzz was already mounting as the nation anticipated the by-election after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to set aside an Election Court decision to declare his victory in the 14th General Election (GE14) null and void.
Mohamad, affectionately known as Tok Mat, won uncontested the seat that he held for three terms after Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) candidate, Dr S. Streram, was denied entry to the nomination centre last year for not having an EC pass.
The atmosphere is rather festive this time around, with the customary flag war between the contesting political parties taking shape on the very first day of campaigning.
The 25-minute drive from Mambau town in Seremban to Rantau is filled with red and blue flags lining the roadside and junctions, and at certain locations, giant billboards featuring the faces of the two most talked-about candidates for the Rantau by-election, Pakatan Harapan’s Dr Streram and Barisan Nasional’s Mohamad, were also set up in an attempt to win the hearts and minds of the voters.
BN launched its election machinery operation centre ahead of nomination day, a clear indication that the team would go all out this time around to make sure its candidate wins the seat.
From day one, important figures from the party, too, had gone down to the ground to help with the campaign programmes, which had kicked off the same day after Mohamad was announced
as the candidate.
Mohamad’s campaign trail started by meeting voters at their residential areas in Rantau, and according to him, more programmes would be organised to make his presence felt in Rantau.
“A resident told me that I don’t need to do that because they knew who I was as they had known me for the past 15 years.
“But I told them it’s my responsibility to introduce myself again, and I cannot take them for granted,” he said.
His night ceramah is filled with his aspiration and promises to become an effective opposition, banking on his 15 years of experience as the former menteri besar of Negri Sembilan and threeterm Rantau state seat assemblyman.
The Rantau by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Mohamad, Dr Streram and two independent candidates, R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.
For Dr Streram, besides going door to door, his campaign strategy includes meeting voters at markets, restaurants and food stalls.
“It is relaxing to talk and get to know the people here over coffee and roti canai, talking about their issues which may need attention.
“I am a doctor and used to talk and listen to people’s problems and try to solve them.
“So there’s nothing new when I decided to become the people’s representative in Rantau. The job scope is almost the same,” he said.
Just like Mohamad, Dr Streram’s night ceramah too is filled with promises on the new development he would bring to Rantau, but whether that would win the hearts of the voters here remains unanswered until polling day.
Independent candidate Malarvizhi may be an unfamiliar figure, but her presence has definitely grabbed the limelight.
She launched her silent protest just a few minutes after she was announced as an independent candidate on Saturday and appeared with a clothes peg on her lips during her campaign trail, to demonstrate her protest against PH and BN for allegedly disallowing their previous election candidates from speaking. Her act raised more than an eyebrow, but the former radio host did not bat an eyelid and showed no signs of intimidation or lack of self-esteem.
Despite being an unfamiliar face in the political arena and the only rose among the thorns in the by-election, her vibrant personality has added more colour, while her voice is often heard loud and clear as she tried to get her message across. The 51-year-old candidate gave credit to her years of experience working as a radio presenter in Canada. “Yes, a lot of people do not know me, but they will soon,” she said, confidently.
“I am here to fight for the rights of the people in Rantau. Being a woman doesn’t discount my chance to win this by-election,” she said.
Former teacher Mohd Nor Yassin, 67, who stirred controversy over his party membership in Pas and Parti Amanah Negara, said he had no intention of quitting the contest for the Rantau state seat.
Despite knowing he would risk the possibility of losing his membership in Amanah after he decided to contest the Rantau byelection, he said he would continue to contest.
However, while other candidates were busy with their campaign preparations and updating the press around the clock, Mohd Nor has been quiet.
Colourful flags and endless campaign programmes are turning Rantau from a sleepy to lively town, but will that be enough to win the hearts of the people here?
A Rantau native, Lee Sang, 50, said the festive atmosphere that Rantau was enjoying at the moment was nothing new.
“We are used to it. It is a normal scene every time we have an election in the town,” he said.
Lee, from Kuala Sawah here, said all four cadidates stood a 5050 chance of winning in the byelection. He said popularity and gender were not the main factors in determining the winner.
“I can’t really say who is the best. They have to walk the talk first before the voters can decide.”
Lee’s sentiment was shared by B. Sanggar, 55, from Taman Cempaka Linsum here.
“We are open to anyone who wants to contest in Rantau. It doesn’t matter if you are a male or a female candidate, as long as you can deliver your promise,” he said.
A housewife, Latifah Karim, 48, said she would accept any candidate as long as he or she could help the people in Rantau.
“I love the festive atmosphere and I am proud to see a woman candidate contesting the by-election,” she said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Policy Studies lecturer Professor Datuk Dr Nasrudin Mohammed said elections were not just about winning.
“It illustrates the choices, aspirations, dreams and desires of the local people for a meaningful life in a multiracial country,” he said.
On the participation of a woman candidate in the by-election, he said it should be respected as it demonstrates a positive political democratic process.
“It also signals women’s dynamism in the political stream, besides encouraging and inspiring them so that they are represented in the political process.
“Participation of female candidates should be encouraged and recognised,” he said.
According to the electoral roll up to Feb 25, there are 20,926 voters in Rantau. They comprise 20,804 normal voters, 118 early voters and four who are overseas.
Fifty-three per cent of the voters here are Malays, while 27 per cent are Indians. Chinese make up about 18 per cent of the electorate.
Polling day has been fixed for April 13, with early voting to be held on April 9.