KUALA LUMPUR ― Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan must win the Rantau by-election in order to consolidate his position within Umno to avoid a leadership tussle, research firm Ilham Centre said today.
It said Mohamad who is also known as “Tok Mat,” needed to secure victory for the third-term as it involved him being the deputy president who was currently acting as Umno president.
“Thus the victory will be a morale boost to return support and confidence to the party after it suffered a crisis in confidence following its defeat in the general election held on May 9 last year.
“This will also return the confidence of its members towards the leadership who was marred with integrity issues,” it said in a statement here.
Ilham Centre said should Mohamad fail to secure a victory, Umno and Barisan Nasional will be subsequently exposed to leadership instability.
“If Tok Mat who is leading Umno and BN is rejected by the voters in his own constituency, elements of no-confidence will emerge and Umno will once again finds itself in a leadership crisis,” it said.
On April 13, the Rantau by-election will witness Dr S. Streram competing against three other candidates, namely, BN’s candidate Mohamad and two Independents, R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.
The by-election was called after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal filed by Mohamad to set aside an Election Court decision to declare his victory in the 14th general election (GE14) null and void.
Rantau has 20,926 registered voters comprising 11,283 Malays, 5,336 Indians and 3,849 Chinese. – MALAY MAIL
Ilham Centre: Fair chance between Pakatan, BN in Rantau race, but ‘Tok Mat’ brand could change odds
KUALA LUMPUR ― Despite even chances between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), the latter seems to have a more promising lead in the Rantau by-election so far, Ilham Centre said today.
The research firm said based on personality factor, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is also known as “Tok Mat” seems to be leading the campaign as opposed to PH’s Dr S. Streram.
“With six days remaining to campaign and based on the candidate’s factor, BN is leading upfront. The BN machinery also looked more organised and many of those involved comprised of locals,” it said in a statement here.
Ilham Centre said politics of remembering one’s contribution was very effective as Mohamad was previously the state mentri besar for three terms, while PH’s candidate was relatively unknown among the grassroots and an outsider.
“Tok Mat would still requires non-Malay votes and Malays votes were expected to remain on his side due to the significant of Malay-Islam issues raised by the Opposition at this moment.
“Meanwhile PH’s winning formula is based on a 20 per cent swing from Malay votes and ensuring the non-Malay votes stick with the ruling coalition,” it said.
Not dismissing PH’s victory chances, Ilham Centre pointed out that it would be a “bonus” and considered a “giant killer” if PH managed to secure victory as it would be a wake up call to return voters’ confidence after losing consecutive defeats in the latest by-elections.
“The pressure is on Tok Mat to secure victory because defeat would deliver a great blow to Umno-BN.
“PH needs the win so that it can deny the rise of Umno who have obtained momentum since their victories in Semenyih and Cameron Highlands.
“PH must also win in order to strengthen its support among the grassroot levels who at present still performs on the capacity of the respective component parties,” it said.
However it remained to be seen if PH’s effort in organising clustered ceramahs, avoiding from attacking Tok Mat in public and meeting voters on the ground was enough for it to garner support from voters whose perception of PH at the federal level is still seen as weak.
On April 13, the Rantau by-election will witness Dr Streram competing against three other candidates, namely, BN’s candidate Mohamad and two independents, R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.
The by-election was called after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal filed by Mohamad to set aside an Election Court decision to declare his victory in the 14th general election (GE14) null and void.
Rantau has 20,926 registered voters comprising 11,283 Malays, 5,336 Indians and 3,849 Chinese. – MALAY MAIL
MALAY MAIL
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