Of Harapan's real small battle... for Cameron Highlands

By-elections are aplenty post GE14 but none will have a bigger significant than the coming P78 Cameron Highlands.


26th January 2019 shall be another cornerstone for Malaysia politics. This will be a new benchmark for future by-elections. Why?

First and foremost, P78 is a by=product of the election court decision that P78 previous MP is guilty of election offence leading to the EC to declare the seat vacant. Not only that, the election court further ruled that the previous MP (Sivarajah Chandran) cannot stand in the by-election. My first thoughts were MIC to announce another of its member to take over the vacancy and represent BN in the by-election. This is not to be, when UMNO, being the ever BN big brother, decided to named Ramli Mohd Noor as their candidate.

Ramli Mohd Noor is a local orang Asal from the Semai tribe who was formerly a high ranking police officer and a direct BN member. What is so interesting about him?

Well, a couple of reasons...

1. He is a direct BN member who has never participated in political events before and most probably roped in at the last minute as the best BN chance to retain P78;
2. As Orang Asal constitute 21.5 % of the voters, BN calculated that this is their best possible bet to get the most from the Orang Asal voters;
3. Ramli may be more appealing to the 33.5 % Malay voters compared to PH's Manogaran who has tried unsuccessfully 3 times to be P78 MP;
4. The combination of BN-PAS co-operation hopes to secure 55 % of the voters base and send Ramli to the parliament;

On this, Pakatan Harapan is not on the advantage and needs to work hard for victory. PH voter base of 42 % Chinese-Indian mix needs strong support from local Orang Asal and Malay voters. And to this, EC is right to warn both sides from using racial issues to canvass for votes.

Another negative factor working against Manogaran is the coming Chinese new Year. Outstation Chinese voters may not see fit to return for the by-election and this will work for BN's Ramli Mohd Noor.

It is sure heating up in P78... Tea Boh, anyone?

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...