Selangor BN’s tactic to get voters charmed and hearts melt?
Tall, dark and handsome seems to be the theme of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate line-up for Selangor in the 15th General Election (GE15) with names like Khairy Jamaluddin, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Isham Jalil thrown in the mix.
Insiders say BN is trying a different route to recapture the state’s parliamentary seats this time around by placing young, charismatic and popular figures.
“It’s a new generation of Umno leaders who have wider appeal and can take risks,” he said.
When asked if these three names, especially Khairy, was being utilised as a litmus test seeing that he has not been on the best of terms with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the source said “maybe”.
“If they win, it would benefit the people greatly. The people should know that.
“It just shows Umno’s serious intent,” he added.
Another source told Sinar Daily that incumbent Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar should be applauded and credited for how open he has been during seat negotiations.
“As the Selangor Umno Liaison committee chairman, Noh Omar has been very open to new people and ideas.
“All eyes will be on Selangor as BN plays a strategic game to entice younger and more urban voters this time around,” he said.
Selangor BN is believed to be fielding 21 new faces.
The source said if big names such as Khairy and Zafrul lose then it will be a signal for BN to rethink their strategy for the Selangor state election.
Zafrul’s continuous presence in Kuala Selangor and appointment as Selangor BN treasurer has pushed the belief that he will be contesting there for Umno, while rumours have been rife that Khairy will be sent to the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat.
Khairy’s fate had been in a limbo since he had to vacate the Rembau after three terms for Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.
“It’s pretty much a done deal, 80 per cent done deal for KJ (Khairy) to Sungai Buloh,” an Umno insider said.
It will be an uphill challenge for Khairy but he is not just any other politician from some random Malay party.
He is big not only among the Malays but also non-Malays, a major plus since Sungai Buloh is a semi-urban location with a colourful racial construct.
He has strength and appeal when it comes to the people - Khairy is the Health Minister during the global health crisis and Mr Vaccine.
He ensured that Malaysians were vaccinated and had some level of protection against the Covid-19 virus, and although this feels like ages ago - people remembered what he did, especially since it looked like he was the only minister out of the whole Cabinet doing their jobs.
However, things may not be in the clear just yet for Khairy as he may face split votes from the Malay voters if Perikatan Nasional decides to place a famous local Ustaz from Pas.
“Khairy must avoid severe split on the Malay ground, and needs about 25 per cent of Chinese and 80 per cent of Indian votes,” a political watchdog told Sinar Daily.
He also said Zafrul’s identity as a known “PJ boy”, born and bred in Selangor shows his authentic support for the state.
His continuous visits to Kuala Selangor as Finance Minister should also be an advantage especially since he has promised to sort out a major problem in the area; traffic congestion.
Isham Jalil, meanwhile, has been tipped to contest in Shah Alam - a seat “no one wants”.
He may be facing former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali if the latter does decide to jump from the Gombak seat - which will officially be known tomorrow.
Isham is considered a fresh face for the people after recently being appointed as an Umno Supreme Council member and Selangor BN information chief.
However, it was made to understand that the final BN candidacy list was still not finalised with Isham’s name along with other veteran ministers had possibly been dropped.
There is still no official date on when BN will be announcing their candidates prior to nomination day on Nov 5.
