Neck and neck in Simpang Jeram, says neighbouring state rep

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | The unity government candidate for the Simpang Jeram state seat, Nazri Abdul Rahman, is in a 50-50 race against his opponent from PAS.

Bentayan assemblyperson Ng Yak Howe said the chances of both candidates are seen as even though the seat was previously represented by Pakatan Harapan’s former minister Salahuddin Ayub.

"So far, we have found that the chances of winning are still 50-50, the situation is still quite challenging, and we do not yet see the government candidate leading," he told reporters after the Kopitam Talk program at Taman Sakeh Baru yesterday.

Bentayan assemblyperson Ng Yak Howe

Earlier, Ng along with Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, and Mengkibol assemblyperson Chew Chong Sin attended the programme to introduce Nazri as a candidate to the local Chinese community and voters.

Bentayan is one of the three state constituencies under the Bakri parliamentary area. The other two are Simpang Jeram and Bukit Naning.

In the state election on Jan 20 last year, Salahuddin defended the Simpang Jeram state assembly seat with a majority of 2,399 votes.

Ng maintained his victory in Bentayan by a margin of 7,476 votes, while Umno candidate Mohd Fuad Tukirin took over the Bukit Naning state seat from Harapan with a majority of 1,535 votes.

Ng said Nazri's chances on Sept 9 depend a lot on the number of voters who come out to participate in the by-election, as well as the support Umno voters can give.

"Votes from Umno-BN supporters are also an important determinant in this by-election," he said.

Three-cornered fight

Nazri is facing a three-cornered fight against PAS central committee member Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya who represents PN and businessperson S Jeganathan who is running as an independent candidate.

Malay voters comprise 51.87 percent of all registered voters in Simpang Jeram, followed by Chinese (44.58 percent) and Indians (2.53 percent).

Ng also said that thus far the response of Chinese voters to Nazri has been positive, but there is a need to build on voter awareness, even down to where and when they are eligible to vote.

"That's why we now set up mobile counters in public places to help them check, and we hope they go out to vote on Sept 9," he said. - Mkini