The second coming of Isa

By adminK On Oct 11, 2009

By Leslie Lau, The Malaysian Insider

For Umno, normal service resumed today with Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad’s landslide victory in the Bagan Pinang state seat in Negri Sembilan.

Malaysia’s political behemoth snapped a losing streak that was threatening to continue until the next general elections.

But the party should not view this as a watershed victory.

Umno has owned this seat and Isa, for all the talk about being a corrupt politician, is a saint at home.

In over 20 years as Negri Sembilan mentri besar (MB), he has more than taken care of his constituents.

From development projects to paving roads even in plantations, he has made Port Dickson — where Bagan Pinang is located — Isa Samad territory.

In Negri Sembilan and Port Dickson in particular, Isa has also built a reputation as being one of the most approachable politicians.

Ultimately, Isa’s brand name, and not Umno’s, won the day today.

But the victory was even bigger than Umno could have hoped for.