Tok Mat accuses EC of trying to break BN's momentum

RANTAU POLLS | Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan has accused the Election Commission (EC) of delaying the Rantau by-election to break BN's momentum.

"Normally, once the EC meets, they would announce the nomination process the following week.

"But instead, (for Rantau), they waited for a month," Mohamad told a ceramah in Taman Nusayu Bayu 2, which falls under the Kampung Sendayan polling district in Rantau.

According to parliamentary data, 46.37 percent of the voters backed BN in the last general election while 8.82 percent supported PAS. Harapan garnered 43.94 percent of the support.

Mohamad pointed out that prior to the Rantau by-election, BN had scored two back-to-back victories, namely the Cameron Highlands by-election and the Semenyih by-election.

"They wanted our momentum from Cameron Highlands and Semenyih to taper off or dissipate, that's why they did it," he said.

Mohamad, who is the Rantau state seat incumbent, said Harapan is seeking to "finish him off" so as to end BN's advance.

"They said Mat Hasan cannot (be allowed to win), we must finish him off in Rantau.

"If he is allowed to survive, he will spin like a gasing (top) and BN would oppose them more aggressively," said Mohamad, who is also known by his nicknames Tok Mat and Mat Hasan.

Mohamad won the Rantau state seat uncontested in GE14 after his challenger, PKR candidate Dr S Streram was denied entry into the nomination centre on the grounds that he did not have an Election Commission (EC) pass with him.

In November last year, the Election Court nullified Mohamad's win following an election petition filed by Streram. 

Mohamad's appeal against the decision was later dismissed by the Federal Court, triggering the by-election.

The two men will finally compete with each other in the April 13 by-election, which will also see independent contenders R Malar and Mohd Nor Yassin in the ring. The 14-day campaign period kicked off yesterday.

Mohamad, who was Negeri Sembilan menteri besar for three terms, from 2004 until GE14, expressed regret that BN lost power in the state.

He said the defeat had disrupted BN's 30-year plan and vision to develop the state. - Mkini