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Saturday, May 4, 2013

Azalina unperturbed by green wave


Despite widespread discontent over RM60 billion PIPC project, the incumbent Pengerang MP is confident of retaining the seat, thanks to the many Felda settlers.
KOTA TINGGI: BN’s Azalina Othman is upbeat about her chances of retaining the Pengerang parliamentary constituency despite the prevailing anti-establishment mood.
The two-term incumbent was thought to be in for a rough ride due to widespread discontent among locals over the controversial Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) project.
The project, which houses the RM60 billion Petronas’ Refinery and and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid), involved the acquisition of a massive 8,094ha of land.
It catalysed the formation of Gabungan NGO Pengerang, which was responsible for rallying about 3,000 people to protest and save their homes last September.
Though it has swung many local votes to Pakatan Rakyat, Azalina’s grip on the seaside sleepy hollow seems solid due to the presence of 15 Felda settlements in the constituency.
The 15 Felda settlements are where close to 20,000 voters reside. They are the traditional BN vote bank which remains intact despite the PICC project having displaced many of them.
Pengerang is a rural constituency with 38,071 voters. Malays make up 87% of them, followed by Chinese 10% and others 2%.
Uncontested for two terms, Azalina is facing PKR’s celebrity candidate Tengku Intan Tengku Abdul Hamid, better known as Dayangku Intan and Independent Mohd Azaman Johari this time.
Assuming that Dayang attracts 20% of the total Malay votes to Pakatan, coupled with 80% of the Chinese votes, she would only be looking 8,221 votes against Azalina 21,928 votes.
Besides, a street survey conducted by FMT showed that quite a number of residents who were affected by PIPC project remain loyal to BN.
Track record
Nur, a 22-year-old shop assistant, said she still supports BN although her home at Kampung Teluk Empang was acquired for the PIPC project.
“We don’t know if it will be better if we change. Azalina has a good track record here, and she is a lawyer. Dayangku Intan is just a singer,” she told FMT from her shop at Sg Rengit Bazaar.
Fruits vendor Uda, 33, and Aim, 35, both said their votes are going to the BN because Azalina has contributed to the local community.
In contrast, Chua Jit Sian, 54, and Heng Foo Chye, 53, said they would vote for Pakatan because they are upset by the authorities’ high-handed approach in taking over their lands.
“First of all, there was no prior announcement or discussions with residents. Then there was no negotiations. They offered you a price and said you either take it or go to court.
“But why should we go to court when you are the one asking for my land?” asked Heng
Chua said while some of the villages were offered a price as high as RM6 per square foot for their land, the others were only offered RM3 per square foot.
“There is no transparency in how they calculated and arrived at the price,” he said.
However, despite the odds against her, Dayang believes she would be able to get 50% of the Malay votes and is confident of winning.
She said her campaign in the Felda settlements has gained momentum and her ceramahs are well attended.
“Although I’m just a singer, I know the mood of the people and I would definitely give my best if I’m elected,” she said.

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