The Malaysian Insight

ANWAR Ibrahim will have to win over Malay voters in Port Dickson to ensure a handsome victory tomorrow.

An early study by Institut Darul Ehsan indicated that Indians will see to it that the PKR president-elect wins by swinging about 20% of the vote from a base of 17,000.

However, the common belief among his supporters is that he needs to win with a big majority to establish his credibility as the next prime minister.

For that, Anwar needs the support of Port Dickson’s Malays.

“We need to focus on Bagan Pinang and Linggi, to make sure the Malay votes increase in this by-election from the last (general) election,” said Negri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan chief Aminuddin Harun, who is also the pact’s by-election director.

Aminuddin has predicted that Anwar will get between 15% and 20% of votes from traditional Umno strongholds.

“With PH being the federal and state governments, I foresee that the Malay votes will go to PH,” the Negri Sembilan menteri besar told The Malaysian Insight.

Anwar’s main rival for Malay votes is independent candidate and former Umno strongman Isa Samad.

The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, who is a local, is confident of getting Malay support, especially from Umno voters.

Anwar’s campaign is targeting Malay voters in Bagan Pinang and Linggi in its final lap.

And, the reminder from Anwar and his team to voters is to not forget about Isa’s Felda scandals.

This was the topic raised by Anwar in a ceramah on Wednesday night, and it was revisited by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a ceramah in Bagan Pinang.

Isa is fighting hard to defend his reputation in his own backyard, saying he has been cleared by the authorities and was not charged.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission did not take any action against me. Even my passport was not impounded. My accounts were not frozen,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

However, a survey of Malay voters found a lack of support for Isa.

An Umno politician from Linggi told The Malaysian Insight that he lost interest in politics after Barisan Nasional’s heavy defeat in the 14th general election, which saw the coalition losing Negri Sembilan for the first time.

“Who wins this by-election is immaterial to me,” said the former Umno Youth leader.

He said he is wary of Isa, who will likely abandon residents after the by-election.

“What did he do for Linggi in his 22 years as menteri besar? Our requests for a university were never entertained.

“When my villagers say they want to vote for Isa, I tell them not to bother,” said the Kg Permatang Pasir voter.

Residents who strongly support Isa are those who had benefited from him or Umno.

Rosli Saaid said he will vote for Anwar only if he is paid to do so.

“If he gives me RM1,000, I will vote for him,” said the 61-year-old, adding that he is upset with the PH government for “removing the BR1M payment”, referring to the 1Malaysia People’s Aid.

Rosli said rubber scrap is now RM2 per kilogramme, and he can only make half the amount because he taps rubber at smallholdings owned by other people.

“With RM1, how do I buy rice?” he said, slamming his fist on the table of a coffee shop in Linggi.

“Even though (former prime minister) Najib (Razak) has done wrong things, at least he gave us BR1M. But that has been taken away by PH.

“It shows that PH cannot live up to its promises. It is only peddling lies.”

Isa is banking on Malays in Linggi and Bagan Pinang to dent Anwar’s chances. His programme in the two areas is packed with visits and meet-and-greet sessions.

However, a Linggi resident, who wanted to be known only as Pak Dol, believes that support for Isa has dwindled in Port Dickson, and can only be felt in Linggi town, Tampin Linggi and Tanjung Agas.

“Hardcore Umno supporters won’t vote for Isa because they feel he has betrayed their struggle. This is what I’ve gathered from the people who talk in my shop. I only listen,” said the businessman.

“Towards the end of the campaign period, if PH uses the Felda issues against him, he will lose support as it will put him in a bad light,” said the 59-year-old.

Tanjung Agas voter Pak Aman – who, at the age of 85, may very well be the oldest voter in the area – summed up neatly why Anwar may win the battle for Malay votes.

Anwar is contesting the by-election so that he can become the next prime minister, said the octogenarian.

Asked if he thinks Anwar will make a good prime minister, Pak Aman said: “Of course. We know he is a good person just by looking at his face. I just hope he does not deviate later.”

The by-election will see a seven-cornered fight. Apart from Anwar and Isa, the other candidates are air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS, and independents Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen.

The by-election was called after Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat to allow Anwar to contest as part of his Parliament comeback bid.

Port Dickson has 72,212 registered voters, of which 43% are Malays, Chinese (33%) and Indians (22%). – October 12, 2018.