The Malaysian Insight

IN an increasingly toxic national political climate, an assemblyman from Islamist party PAS is choosing instead to work quietly with the grassroots in his constituency, as he fights a hard battle to retain their support in the next elections.

Dr Abdul Rani Osman’s full day begins after his morning prayers, as he sets out distributing food to the poor of his constituency in Meru, Selangor, visiting the sick as well as attending formal events on top of running his medical clinic.

His schedule often sees him only returning home well after dark daily, but for the soft-spoken and diminutive doctor, service is truly about devoting oneself to the public.

“There are many factors in winning an election, but for me, going down to the ground is very important. My approach even in speeches is different. I don’t like to just hit out at Umno, because to me, that’s not right,” he said.

“We should just do things the right way. Get to know the people, and don’t just meet them when you want to win,” Dr Rani told The Malaysian Insight recently. 

His clinic Fitrah at Pekan Meru is often filled with patients from all walks of life, ethnic background and religion, all of whom appear to mingle freely and comfortably with the multilingual politician.

“We are casual. There’s no protocol. With the residents, we are always friendly. I can speak in many languages, including Tamil, Mandarin, Iban, Arabic and English,” said Dr Rani, who has held the state seat for two terms.

Safe PAS Selangor seat

According to research conducted by think-tank Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE), led by Professor Dr Redzuan Othman, only two seats out of the current 13 in Selangor will be comfortably defended by PAS in the 14^th general election (GE14).

The party is expected to lose most of its seats in constituencies with three-cornered fights against Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

A similar study on PAS’ chances in GE14 was conducted by the former dean of the Economics Faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr Zainal Abidin Kidam, and showed that only two seats will be considered safe following the party’s loss of support from non-Malay voters.

The two are Dr Rani’s Meru seat, and Bangi, held by Mohd Shafei Ngah.

Meru is unique in that it has a high number of Chinese and Indian voters – 27% and 12% respectively, against 59% of Malay voters – who are largely expected to reject PAS in GE14 after the party’s fallout with PH.

But Dr Rani’s popularity with his constituents will allow him to keep the seat for PAS.

“(The victory at Meru) is only if Dr Rani is maintained as the candidate. For any other candidate, the outcome is uncertain,” Redzuan told the The Malaysian Insight.

No comfort zone

Even after winning by 9,000 votes in the last elections, Dr Rani said he has never considered himself to be in a safe zone, adding that there is a possibility of losing the seat in a three-cornered fight, which he believes will be to Umno and Barisan Nasional’s benefit.

“People say if Dr Rani stands in Meru, even with an 18-cornered fight, I will win, but I will be honest and say that if it’s a three-cornered fight, Umno will win.

“It’s better not to, because there is a possibility of split votes.”

The University of Tanta, Egypt, graduate admitted that the drop in support from non-Malays following PAS’ breakup with Pakatan Rakyat will cost the party several seats at GE14.

“Yes, there will likely be some effect, but we hope for the best. This political battle can be filled with trickery and deception.

“We are not saying they (non-Malays) 100% will remain with PAS. That’s why it is important to go to the ground. To work with the grassroots.”

PAS officially severed ties with Pakatan Rakyat in June 2015 after a row erupted with DAP over the implementation of hudud law.

On May 11, the party also decided to cut ties with PKR, although it is still working with the PKR-led Selangor government.

Notwithstanding national PAS’ decision not to be part of PH, history is against PAS when it chooses to battle alone in Selangor.

In 1999, following the fallout of Malay votes against BN after the Anwar Ibrahim sacking, PAS won four seats. 

In the next elections, PAS failed to win any seat under the then new administration of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In GE12 or the 2008 elections, backed by a huge block of non-Malay votes, PAS won eight seats.

And at the last elections in 2013, non-Malay voters helped push PAS’ tally to 15 seats before the Amanah split caused the Islamist to lose two seats.

Unable to decide the national direction and elections strategy of his party, Dr Rani said he will continue to do his best for his constituents and believe that voters will look beyond their party affiliations when it comes to voting time.

“Just keep serving. And our contributions shouldn’t always be tied to our party.

“I don’t care if my visits are not covered by Selangorkini or any other media. What is more effective is word-of-mouth.” – July 30, 2017.