Fielding a non-Malay candidate who is backed by the two biggest Malay-Muslim parties could just be the winning formula at the upcoming Tanjung Piai by-elections, said Umno Senator Khairul Azwan Harun.
He explained that the union of PAS and Umno itself could be assurance enough for Barisan Nasional (BN) to win over the Malay electorate.
“One may argue that it gives a stronger image when a non-Malay candidate is backed and supported by two of the largest Malay parties in Malaysia.
“In fact, many hope to see the truest symbol of union and inclusivity would be borne.
“For Tanjong Piai specifically, this new method may work for us. Hence, the leadership of Umno and PAS may want to use this upcoming by-election to showcase this winnable union is indeed a winning formula that can take us forward in GE15,” he said through a statement today.
Khairul Azwan, famously known as Azwanbro, explained the Tanjung Piai seat was lost to Pakatan Harapan in GE14 only due to the national sentiment of disengagement from BN, and not due to the candidate’s inability to lead.
He said the Umno-PAS cooperation had already resulted in victory in the last three by-elections but warned against complacency despite momentum being on their side.
“Since the last by-election, it’s clear that the Malay sentiment is very much against the current government with even over 40 per cent of the youth seeing that the nation is going in the wrong direction under PH.
“But we must not rest on our laurels. We must continue to innovate,” he said.
Khairul Azwan also highlighted how sound policy recommendations, paired with public actions, could be another way to appease and attract the non-Malay voters.
“Simple policy recommendations such as attaching our minimum wage to inflation or being more open to flexible working hours to accommodate working parents are policies that are colour-blind.
“It does not take a Malay or a Chinese or an Indian to realise the potential good of such policies.
“We need to put these ideas ahead of any potential Malay or Islamic rhetoric,” he added.
The Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent MP Md Farid Mohd Rafik, who passed away on Sept 22.
The deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leader was 42 years old when he died of a heart attack.
Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy president Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said that the candidate should be respectable and friendly, and like the late Farid, one who makes time for the people
He said during a meeting with village heads in Tanjung Piai yesterday that they were still visibly touched by the kindness of Farid who always helped them regardless of the time of the day.
He added that the village heads were still thinking of Farid, his kindness and his gentlemanly attitude.
“The night before he died, he still met the village heads. This is an example of a young man with an attractive personality, a gentleman, a good man.
“I think it is an example of the potential candidate’s criteria that might be considered to replace him,” he said when met at the Pontian district council office yesterday.
Salahuddin said these criteria would be used as the key performance indicators (KPIs) that the PH Presidential Council might consider in order to find the best candidate for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election.
Earlier, Salahuddin, who is also Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister together with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, had a closed-door meeting with 45 village heads in the Tanjung Piai Parliamentary constituency.
The hour-long meeting also discussed issues faced by the villagers as well as identifying projects promised by Farid before his untimely demise.
“We ask all the village heads to submit their documents, whether the letter of application or the promises that have been made, insya Allah (God willing) we will carry out those promises in the near future,” he said.
He said any urgent need would be prioritised using the allocation from the office of the Menteri Besar or his ministry first.
“The existing budget (under the ministry) that we can use, for example, for projects involving livestock, paddy planting and to improve access roads to the plantation area,” he said.