Manogaran: BN's 'Orang Asli' plan may backfire, cites 'kuih' analogy

CAMERON POLLS | Pakatan Harapan candidate M Manogaran believes that if BN fields an Orang Asli candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election, the plan could backfire.

To illustrate his point, the DAP man cited a “kuih” analogy.

“BN's calculation is, they think… They really don’t understand. You see, the Malays don't even buy kuih from Orang Asli vendors. I don't think they will go all out and vote for an Orang Asli.

“The Malays will ask 'How come? We don’t have a Malay candidate? How come you put an Orang Asli?' Chinese, Indians will not vote for the Orang Asli (as well),” he told Malaysiakini.

Manogaran was commenting on the speculation that BN might field former Orang Asli top policeman Ramli Mohd Noor for the Jan 26 contest.

The DAP man said Ramli would also be unable to capture the majority of Orang Asli votes. The community constitutes 20 percent of the voters whereas the Malays, 34 percent.

“With the Orang Asli (voters), they (BN) are going to say 'Hey, he is your own man. Why don’t you vote for him?'

“We will have to counter it by saying, 'Well, he is an Orang Asli but he is not tested, he has never been exposed to anything... Even if he wins, he will not be in government, so who can deliver especially now that the Orang Asli need basic infrastructure?'

“Who can build roads and give them the facilities they so badly require because they have been neglected for so long?” he added.

To drive home the point, Manogaran said he would use former MIC president S Samy Vellu as an example.

“… Samy Vellu led the Indians for 30 years. What did he give to the Indians? So don't go on that basis, go for who can solve your problems. My campaign line will be that – I will use Samy Vellu's example.

“How much did the Chinese lose out under MCA? So that is not the basis of selecting a candidate to be your MP,” he added.

Manogaran said unlike the Chinese and middle-class Indians, the Orang Asli still need assistance from the federal government.

“You need Putrajaya to look into your problems. So for me, I will take advantage of that line of campaigning.

“I don't think he (Ramli) will fully get Orang Asli votes. I don’t think so, because the Orang Asli will go for who is the government; where Jakoa (Orang Asli Development Department) is placed. They will look at Jakoa. But it is very interesting and exciting times,” he added.

BN is slated to announce its candidate for the parliament seat tomorrow morning. - Mkini