Thorny path for five in Bersatu

SHAH ALAM - Although Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin intends to defend his Pagoh seat, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman might not get the chance to become the Prime Minister for the second time if Pas decides to cooperate with Umno.

The Bersatu leader might even face difficulties to win in the 15th General Election (GE15) if the Pas-Umno cooperation was restored through Muafakat Nasional (MN).

During the Melaka and Johor state elections, the country saw PN especially Bersatu won on the strength of the Pas machinery.

This was because they did not have enough grassroots supporters as majority of the leadership comprised those who had jumped parties from Umno and PKR.

It was clear that GE15 became the threshold for voters to see the true strength of PN without Pas if the Islamic party leadership followed the “Puteri Gunung Ledang” conditions set by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to cooperate again.

Zahid said Umno set three main conditions before any fresh negotiations were made in the cooperation with Pas ahead of GE15.

The three main conditions were for Pas to leave the PN coalition, cut all political ties with Bersatu and officially declare that the party had mufaraqah (separated) completely from PN and Bersatu.

Contesting on a different ticket

GE15 was considered to be the real test for Bersatu as most of the its leaders and MPs will contest on a different ticket or party compared to the previous election.

This included Bersatu secretary-general and PN election director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali who was expected to defend the Gombak Parliamentary seat he won under the PH ticket in GE14.

Bersatu vice-president and Senior Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin might move from Ketereh to the Putrajaya seat competing against former Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Also expected to steal the lime light was Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan who was predicted to contest in either Jerlun, Kubang Pasu or Lembah Pantai seat in GE15.

Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee was also seen to have no issues defending the Beluran Parliamentary seat in GE15 especially after holding the Agriculture and Food Industry Minister post under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s leadership from August, last year.

Bersatu vice-president Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen was said to have been eyeing one of the seats in Melaka including Alor Gajah currently held by former entrepreneur development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

However, Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Bersatu Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun was expected to move from the Titiwangsa Parliamentary seat to Sepang in GE15.

Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) member and Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed would defend the Air Lanas and Jeli seats he won under BN’s ticket in GE14.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah was expected to defend the Indera Makhota seat he won under PH in GE14.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon will defend the Batu Pahat seat he won under PH’s ticket in the previous general election.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister and Bersatu MPT member Datuk Rosol Wahid has also expressed confidence to defend the Hulu Terengganu seat although he might be facing an “old friend” from Umno who was Telemong state assemblyman Datuk Rozi Mamat who will be contesting under the BN ticket in GE15.

Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Muslimin Yahya and former deputy minister in the prime minister's department (parliament and law) Datuk Shabudin Yahaya will not be defending the Sungai Besar and Tasek Gelugor seats respectively.

If Shabudin decided to contest in GE15, there would be a big possibility that he would be facing former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad who was reported to have become a BN candidate in the Tasek Gelugor.

Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Dr Mansor Othman would also not defend the Nibong Tebal seat won on PH’s ticket to make way for new faces.

Among other Bersatu leaders, who might not defend their seats in GE15 included Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort) and Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam).

PN Terengganu chairman Datuk Razali Idris might contest in the Besut Parliamentary seat that was held by former Menteri Besar and Felda chariman Tan Sri Idris Jusoh in GE15.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri might not face any difficulties in defending the Kudat seat in GE15 since he won the seat since 2004.

It was reported that Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi will not defend the Bagan Serai seat and the seat would be filled in by Armada chief and Deputy National Unity Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Abdul Fasal said he will defend his seat even though there were rumours that the seat has been given to Pas.

Bersatu had named four former Umno veteran leaders including two former home ministers who were Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Tan Sri Azmi Khalid, Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Putra Jamalullail (former Perlis Exco) and Abdul Jamil Saad (former Sena state assemblyman) contesting under the PN ticket in GE15.

Radzi was understood to be contesting in Kangar, Azmi (Padang Besar), Syed Razlan (Arau) and Abdul Jamil (Sena state assemblyman).

For the record, the Padang Besar seat was currently controlled by Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainol Abidin, while the Arau seat was held by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim from BN while the Kangar seat was held by Perlis PKR deputy chairman Noor Amin Ahmad.