Fielding Tok Mat will help PH-BN retain Negeri Sembilan, say analysts

 

Mohamad Hasan has hinted he may contest in Rantau, which he represented from 2004 to 2018, at the state assembly elections in August.

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts believe the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance will have a stronger chance of retaining power in Negeri Sembilan if Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan contests in Rantau, which he represented for four terms.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Mohamad was the only remaining Umno leader in Negeri Sembilan with a strong political base, after former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin was sacked from the party in January.

He said a decision by Mohamad to run in Rantau again would increase the chances of PH and BN winning the Negeri Sembilan elections.

“Mohamad (a former three-term menteri besar) has a significant influence. His role in this state is equally important as his ministerial position,” Mazlan told FMT. Mohamad is defence minister in the federal cabinet.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Mohamad’s experience as menteri besar from 2004 to 2018 would attract votes from across the state. Negeri Sembilan residents were also satisfied with Mohamad’s performance at the helm.

Azmi said the Mohamad era could be regarded as being “similar to that of Selangor during Khalid Ibrahim’s tenure as menteri besar”. He said both men had a corporate background, which provided residents with a positive perception” said Azmi.

Mohamad had hinted on Monday that he might stand in Rantau, which he represented between 2004 and 2018, in the upcoming state election.

State assembly elections will take place simultaneously in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu on Aug 12.

Mohamad was replaced as menteri besar by Aminuddin Harun from Pakatan Harapan in 2018 after BN lost power in the state.

Mujibu Abd Muis of Universiti Teknologi Mara said Mohamad’s “winnability factor” was more important for Umno than placing a new candidate for the seat.

He said a mixed seat with a majority of Malay voters like Rantau required Mohamad’s experience as a minister and former menteri besar to help BN and PH win.

“Mohamad is important as an experienced figure and I believe he has the potential to be a winning candidate,” Mujibu said.

Mohamad won the Rembau parliamentary seat with a 19,897 majority in November. - FMT