BN’s Hasni faces 'little'' resistance in Benut but will a 4-cornered fight turn the tide?
Johor caretaker MB Hasni Mohammad seems set to have an easy fight in Benut but will multi-corner fights be a danger to his chances. - Bernama Photo.
He faces Senator Datuk Isa Abd Hamid (PN), Iskandar Noor Ibrahim (Pejuang) and Haniff@Ghazali Hosman (PKR).
Local voters have so far pointed out that there has not been many outstanding issues in the state seat that Hasni’s political opponents could levy against him.
A resident in Kampung Parit Madrono who wished to be known as Khaidir, 52, said voters are well aware what Hasni brings to the table and they are confident of seeing his pledges being fulfilled.
“His approachable demeanour and calm persona are why many will continue to vote for him. Also being BN’s choice for Menteri Besar, people want to vote for him to help him remain as the Mentri Besar.
“He can help anyone here easily but I don't think that is the case for the other candidates. Even if you put politics aside, practically speaking, there isn't much anyone can gain if they vote for other parties, whose candidates would only end up as just an assemblyman,’’ he said
In 14th general election, Hasni has won by 4,447 votes against Zulkifly Tasrep from Bersatu and Mohd Firdaus from PAS.
According to the previous electoral roll, Benut has 82 percent Malay voters and 18 percent of Chinese voters.
However, with the current political upheavals due to the Sheraton Move and the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hasni faces new challenges to convince Johoreans that he is the right person to lead the state.
The situation has become more complex now as coffee shop banter and rumours mills are filled with talk that Hasni was actually pressured into triggering the state election at the request of Umno top leaders and “warmongers” within the party, said an Umno source who is familiar with Hasni’s campaign effort in Benut.
“The rumours mill here spread fast. Even when Hasni has repeatedly said the election was necessary to give a clear mandate to the government and restore the economy and investors' confidence in the state, Johoreans here pointed out that this was not his position several months back.
“So what changes between now and then? It is natural to point that it was the infamous court cluster that pressured Datuk Seri Hasni into this position and he has to sell this narrative of calling for an election to save the state repeatedly.
“But we think this could have a small impact here or not all,’’ he said.
In the early leg of the campaign period, BN leaders have portrayed the need for the state election to have a strong mandate to ensure a cohesive economic and social recovery post-Covid-19.
However, more and more ordinary Johoreans are asking about the need to spend needlessly on the election, which would cost RM150 million according to the Election Commission, an amount many feel could have better spend as the rakyat struggle post-pandemic.
In recent days, to offset concerns on economic recovery Hasni has stressed that his administration will push for border reopening with Singapore and push for massive investment projects such as the high-speed rail as means to spur economic growth in the state.
Undi18 and the fight for Malay votes.
Another Benut local, Shazlin Rahim, 47, however, said all the candidates in the state election, not just Hasni must adapt to the rise of new and young voters now that Undi18 and automatic voter registration have been implemented.
Shazlin said the huge number of candidates and political parties contesting in the election also might confuse voters and affect the winning chances at all contested seats.
“Well as the old saying goes, it is a young men's game,’’ he said in jest
“But all jokes aside, they are likely to be the kingmaker in the coming elections. I am not sure whether they have a commanding presence here but you can’t take these things for granted.
“There is indeed a wind of change and likely all political parties, new and old must adapt to the changes.
Another Umno source familiar raised concerns over Benut's four-corner fight.
“We are concern because its splits the Malay votes. There is also issues of the Chinese votes not shifting their support, despite BN leaders saying there is a wind of change happening in the Tiong Hua community which is very unlikely.
“Right now we targeting at least 75 to 90 percent of our established vote bank to come out and vote,’’ said the Umno campaign worker.
In this election, some 2.5 million voters, across 56 state seats, are expected to cast their votes between 10 different political parties and 16 independent candidates, to form the next state government.
Early polling has been set for March 8 while polling day is set on March 12.
