Teluk Intan by-election is TOO CLOSE to call

PETALING JAYA - The Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election, which pitches DAP novice Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud against Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong, is too close to call.

According to an analysis in China Press today, the by-election can serve as a windsock on the hudud issue – on how the controversy affects the voting trend of the Chinese, who make up the majority and provided the Pakatan Rakyat with the bulk of the votes in the last two general elections.

Based on the electoral roll used in the last general election, Chinese make up 41.94% of the total voters in the constituency, followed by Malays with 38.61% and Indians about 19%.

Despite some positive feedback on DAP's choice of a Muslim woman candidate, whether the party, whose credibility has come under attack over the hudud issue, can retain the seat will very much depend on how Parti Keadilan Rakyat and PAS help in the election campaign in the run-up to the May 31 polls.

Another crucial factor is the ballots of those voters who are outstation.

Without the winds of change that drove outstation voters to return in droves to vote in the 13th general election last year, many outstation voters are likely to sit out this by-election, much like what had happened in the recent Kajang by-election which saw a much lower turnout than in GE13. This works against the DAP.

The analysis said Mah, being a local dignitary, is also expected to receive a lot of friendship votes in a small town district where the community is relatively close-knit.

The possibility that Teluk Intan may have a minister and receive more federal allocations if Mah wins also bodes well for the former MP and deputy minister.

Nevertheless, there is no clear advantage as yet for either candidate.

But one thing is for sure: the result of the Bukit Gelugor by-election on May 25 will have an impact on the Teluk Intan polls. -Sundaily