Time for BN to fight fire with fire
By M.HUSAIRY OTHMAN, The Malaysian Insider
THE ongoing "battle" between Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his predecessor Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will now move from the courts to Bukit Gantang.
For many, Monday's announcement of Nizar as Pakatan Rakyat's candidate for the by-election was a surprise despite speculation that he was being considered.
Party officials had said that up to six candidates, including four locals, were being considered. However, the former menteri besar was the obvious choice — from day one.
Just one day after the sudden demise of former MP Roslan Shahrum on Feb 9, Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham took the lead when he declared Nizar as the ideal candidate for Bukit Gantang.
"I believe Nizar is a symbolic figure in view of the present circumstances," he had said in reference to the political impasse in the silver state.
When Pakatan lost the state administration on Feb 5, ceramah after ceramah were held throughout Perak, each time depicting Nizar as the victim of Barisan Nasional's "greed" for power.
With their oratory skills, Pakatan politicians successfully stoked the sentiments of the people at these gatherings and urged them to "express what was in their hearts" over the recent takeover by BN, in the by-election.
BN candidate Ismail Sapian, despite playing down Nizar's chances of winning the seat, realises full well the daunting task ahead. Being the first local boy to stand as a candidate, he would go all out not to disappoint Perak BN chief Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his new general Zambry.
This, however, might be easier said than done, although Umno seemed to have learned its lesson by installing a local boy to stand instead of parachute candidates like what was done in the past which led to much dissatisfaction and internal sabotage.
In 2004, Umno lost its traditional stronghold after party treasurer Datuk Seri Azim Mohd Zabidi was defeated by the late Roslan with a 1,566-vote majority.
"There is still much work to be done to win back the confidence of the people.
"For the past two weeks, Zambry has been literally camping in this constituency, meeting the rakyat and trying his level best to solve their problems. All of this is well and good but how much can one person do?" said a political observer.
As evidenced by the presence of close to 3,000-strong Pakatan supporters on Monday night when Nizar was announced as the candidate, BN has to deal with a lot of damage control. With some quarters already referring to the Bukit Gantang by-election as the Perak referendum, the time is ripe for BN to take off the kid gloves and fight fire with fire.
"Enough is enough. Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali was the perfect gentleman and we were trampled on by Pakatan.
"They (Pakatan) are obviously not playing by the rules. Zambry should take charge and learn from this," said a staunch Umno supporter.
With nomination day fixed for Sunday, the nine days of campaigning might just reflect what lies in store for BN in Perak, long after the results are announced late in the night.
