Candidate Selection
The Bagan Pinang by-election is related to the honor of UMNO. Thus, the possibility to field Isa is low. If UMNO does not assign a heavyweight candidate, it may choose a less controversial local party member, such as a Wanita leader.
By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily
Some bloggers suggested that BN should field MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the Bagan Pinang by-election, so that Samy can prove that he is not a “liability” for BN. But UMNO may lose a bastion if it makes Samy the candidate for the by-election. Thus, it should not be taken seriously. BN should have a more appropriate candidate.
Voters' doubt about the integrity of Rohaizat Othman, UMNO candidate for the recent Permatang Pasir by-election, the 7th by-election in Peninsular Malaysia, was the reason why PAS won with a majority of 4551 votes. After learning a lesson from the defeat, UMNO will definitely choose a candidate who is morally clean this time. Therefore, instead of announcing the candidate in advance, BN has instead changed its strategy to announce its candidate only after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
However, the Teluk Kemang Umno division recommended only former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar (MB) Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, who has been found guilty of political corruption, as the candidate. It has made things difficult for UMNO leaders. UMNO Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has openly asked Negeri Sembilan UMNO to list three names, so that they can choose one of them as the BN candidate for the by-election.
| "Most importantly, Khairy belongs to neither Isa's nor Mohamad Hasan's faction." |
UMNO veterans, including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, do not agree to assign Isa as the candidate because it may affect UMNO's chances of winning. But if UMNO does not assign Isa, would it lead to an internal dispute? On the other hand, it may lead to a suspicion from Negeri Sembilan MB Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's faction if UMNO field Isa for the by-election. UMNO leaders have been caught in a dilemma.
Therefore, UMNO must choose a candidate that can convince the Negeri Sembilan UMNO grass-roots. It seems like Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim are the only qualified Negeri Semblian UMNO leaders.
Rembau Member of Parliament (MP) Khairy used to be a controversial political leader when his father-in-law Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the Prime Minister. However, he has been recently committed to working with young people of all racial groups and his image has changed. Also, after playing the role of a taxi driver in the 15Malaysia short films, his popularity has significantly grown. Fielding him for the by-election may help in gaining non-Malay votes.
Most importantly, Khairy belongs to neither Isa's nor Mohamad Hasan's faction. He is a compromise candidate. But Dr Mahathir may still have an objection as Khairy was involved in an election bribery allegation during the party election in March this year.
Meanwhile, Dr Rais used to serve as the Negeri Sembilan MB. He has gone through ups and downs in the party and experienced a political doldrums during the 1987 party crisis. His recent remarks were startling and he was more than qualified to be the candidate. The problem is, would he be willing to leave his official post just to contest for the petty post of a state assemblyman?
The Bagan Pinang by-election is related to the honor of UMNO. Thus, the possibility to field Isa is low. If UMNO does not assign a heavyweight candidate, it may choose a less controversial local party member, such as a Wanita leader.
To keep the Bagan Pinang state seat, UMNO must first overcome the factional problems in Negeri Sembilan. It is as well a knotty problem to be resolved before UMNO President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak could integrate the party after the party election.
