SHAH ALAM – Following Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) recent 20,000-vote loss in the Mahkota by-election, Bersatu Supreme Council candidate Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq stresses that careful candidate selection is key to restoring public confidence and improving future election outcomes.
The loss in Mahkota sparked criticism over Bersatu’s decision to field 61-year-old former Johor FA player Mohamad Haizan Jaafar where some critics questioned his suitability for the role, suggesting his candidacy reflected a misstep that cost PN significant support.
Khaliq, who was Penang PN election director in 2022, assured that Bersatu does not simply "handpick” candidates without due diligence.
He said each nominee undergoes an in-depth review of their background, experience, and qualifications before the party backs their candidacy.
"We don’t just randomly select individuals for key positions. Every candidate must earn the nomination through a process that includes a thorough vetting of their expertise, alignment with party values, and public appeal,” he told Sinar Daily in an exclusive interview recently.
Khaliq described Mohamad Haizan as a "fit guy” and popular among the people of Mahkota, despite losing to Barisan Nasional’s Umno-man Syed Hussein Syed Jaafar.
"When it comes to elections, there are things you just can’t predict. There are winners and losers, and we just have to accept.
"We have to go back to the drawing board and address the cause and move forward,” he said.
Commenting further on the Mahkota by-election, Khaliq said Haizan’s candidacy was backed by the party as a strong choice, but acknowledged that unpredictable elements often influence election outcomes.
The Mahkota by-election on Sept 28 saw Haizan securing 7,347 votes, significantly trailing behind Syed Hussien, who received 27,995 votes. The majority of 20,648 votes marked a fourfold increase in the majority for BN compared to the 2022 state election.
Khaliq is among 80 candidates vying for one of the 20 coveted Supreme Council seats in the election.
Among efforts to bolster Bersatu's commitment to inclusivity, he voiced out the potential proposal to bring Bersekutu, Bersatu’s non-Malay wing, into the party’s Supreme Council.
The Bersatu polls will take place on Nov 2. Among leaders that have won uncontested includes Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has retained his Bersatu president post, outgoing secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin will fill the position of deputy president, and Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi for Srikandi chief and deputy chief, respectively.