The Malaysian Insight

THE “traitor” tag appears not to stick with Hamzah Zainudin, an Umno defector who jumped to Bersatu after the 2018 general election.

As the Larut incumbent sets out to defend the seat, a sampling of voter sentiment in the Perak constituency showed that the locals were not perturbed by the caretaker home minister’s past deeds.

Party rivals said Hamzah had built a formidable machinery and was set to retain the parliamentary seat for a record-breaking fourth term.

Pejuang area coordinator, Mat Supri Musa, said the Bersatu leader’s grip on the constituency could be seen in his well-funded machinery and general voter affection shown him.

The formidable PAS machinery was also running a solid campaign for the three-term MP.

“Here in Larut, I see him as an unbeatable elephant. No one can topple him. Even Umno will lose to him.

“Hamzah has a connection with voters and he has used his financial resources well. So I don’t think he will be defeated,” said the retired 68-year-old teacher, who was a special officer for Hamzah soon after the latter left Umno for Bersatu in 2018.

Mat Supri, who served in the Larut Umno division as a member for five terms, was also a Bersatu candidate in the last general election but lost.

He joined Pejuang when Dr Mahathir Mohamad set up the party last year.

Mat Supri said Hamzah’s campaigning style is a mirror image of Umno’s approach.

The difference was that Hamzah’s machinery, which is driven by PAS, worked without expecting any financial rewards.

“Our Larut candidate does not stand a chance against this. In all probability, we will not only lose but lose our deposit as well,” he said of the Pejuang candidate’s chances.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) presence can be felt and seen from a great distance with the flags and banners that dot the Larut landscape, put up by its machinery.

Party workers togged in PN colours could be seen at every nook and cranny either putting up flags or manning tents or “pondok panas” ahead of the ballot on November 19.

Larut is a 90% Malay-majority constituency with community support split between PAS and Umno.

But with Umno splinter party Bersatu in a coalition with PAS, observers think the vote will go to PN.

In the last general election, Hamzah won with a 4,486-vote majority after polling 18,184 votes.

His PAS rival, Abu Husin Mohammad, polled 13,698, while Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Khairil Anuar Akhiruddin polled 7,738.

Voters on the roll for the election have been pegged at 70,000, an increase of 16,000 new electors.

Hamzah will face Mohd Shafiq Fhadly Mahmud (BN), Zolkarnain Abidin (PH) and Awzey Fazlan Sahidi (Pejuang) this time around.

The three state seats in the constituency are Kubu Gajah, Selama and Batu Kurau.

Khalil Yahaya won Kubu Gajah and Mohamad Daud Mohd Yusoff won Selama – both from PAS, while BN’s Muhammad Amin Zakaria won Batu Kurau with a 2,308-vote majority.

Khalil and Daud will defend their seats for PAS while BN is fielding newcomer Saliza Ahmad for Batu Kurau.

Voters were unperturbed by Hamzah’s new banners bearing the logo of a rival coalition.

Food seller Hamimi Awang, 34, says unlike in urban areas people in Larut generally prefer to support a candidate rather than his party.

Hamzah is known in the area for his work and many are happy with the service he has provided.

“Hamzah jumping parties has no effect. Many here reject the party. We want people who can work and the candidate’s party counts for little,” he said.

He said voters hope their elected representatives would be able to improve the local economy.

Another voter who declined to be named, said that the youth want better jobs and Hamzah is seen as someone who can help improve the area’s economic prospects.

“Hamzah is a minister and if he wins and is reappointed again, he will do things for the local economy,” he said.

Hamzah’s campaign has focused on small groups or what is known as “ceramah kelompok”.

The Malaysian Insight attended his ceramah in Kubu Gajah, which had a mixed crowd of young and elderly.

Many of the youth wanted selfies with Hamzah who gamely obliged.

Hamzah pitched PN as a coalition that is trustworthy and one with integrity, and is poised to bring change to Malaysia.

“We want honest and sincere leaders. People who work for the betterment of our people.

“We don’t want leaders who think of their groups and interests only. PN was formed to bring people with integrity under one roof,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd. – November 16, 2022.