Election commission personnel making last preparations for the nomination day. NSTP/SAIFULLIZAN TAMADI.
RANTAU: Today is nomination day for the Rantau by-election, which will likely see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional.
This led to acting Umno president and three-term Rantau assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan winning the seat uncontested, but the result was later nullified by the Election Court.
However, despite having a second shot at contesting, Dr Streram, who is Rembau PKR deputy chief, will face an uphill battle as the underdog in this David and Goliath contest.
Mohamad, or Tok Mat as he is fondly known, is tipped to score a comfortable win.
He is a household name on his home turf, an impregnable fortress that has remained under BN since 1964.
PH currently controls 20 of the 36 seats in the Negri Sembilan assembly, and a win for either party will not affect the status quo.
However, victory in this semi-urban, Malay-majority state seat could prove pivotal for both sides.
BN is looking to score a trifecta win to consolidate its political legitimacy, while PH is keen to take down the head honcho of BN, who is credited with salvaging the alliance between Umno, MCA and MIC.
Mohamad, a businessman-turned-politician who served as Negri Sembilan mentri besar from 2004 until May last year, can ill afford a loss in Rantau.
In the event of a win, Umno’s succession plan will stay on course and Mohamad will be in pole position to become the next party president, replacing Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Professor Dr P. Sivamurugan said: “Tok Mat must continue the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih momentum, beside strengthening his position as Umno deputy president and acting president.
“As Rantau is a 53 per cent Malay and 48 per cent non-Malay constituency, his track record and aura as a leader will be tested, too.”
While some claim PH stands a better chance of winning by fielding a Malay candidate, its current strategy could pay off if a relative lightweight like Dr Streram manages to notch up a win against Tok Mat.
“PH, especially PKR, wants to avoid the prospect of three consecutive losses to BN.
“It is the first real test for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as PKR president,” said Sivamurugan.
Anwar, who recently won the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election, is hoping voters will reject any manipulation of racial sentiments in Rantau, especially after the “marriage” between Umno and Pas.
Dr Streram was picked by Anwar and PKR based on his work background and contributions as a volunteer doctor in war-torn Muslim countries.
But it is unclear whether Dr Streram’s tour of duty with Doctors Without Borders in Afghanistan and Sudan will translate into votes.
The one advantage Dr Streram has over his opponent is the backing and support he will receive from the PH-led state and the federal government.
Anwar will likely hit the campaign trail and stump for his candidate. A win in Rantau will not only be symbolic for the prime minister-in-waiting, but also bear testament to his leadership.
Regardless, observers say Dr Streram deserves a second chance as he took the initiative to challenge Mohamad’s uncontested win in court.
And Sivamurugan says Dr Streram may canvass support and “fish for sympathy votes” from the Indian community, who he dubs as the kingmaker in this polls.
Out of the 20,472 registered voters, 53 per cent are Malays while 27 per cent are Indians. The Chinese make up about 18 per cent of the electorate.
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