Shortcut brings state issues to the Federal level

SHAH ALAM - The strategy of positioning Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the candidate for the Kemaman Parliamentary seat in the upcoming by-elections is a significant move aimed at easily bringing state issues to the attention of the Federal government.

Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, a security and political analyst from the Centre for War Studies and Information Warfare at Universiti Teknologi Mara, stated that this strategy also ensures that the opposition can effectively discuss development issues in Parliament.

"Pas does not want to take big risks because they want to maintain the momentum of recent state elections, and placing a popular candidate gives them an advantage.

"The action of fielding a candidate with significant appeal can overcome the capabilities of the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, thereby creating psychological pressure to secure a victory," he told Sinar yesterday.

On Thursday, Pas nominated Ahmad Samsuri to defend the Kemaman parliamentary seat in the upcoming by-election.

This announcement was made by Pas Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man during the Ceramah Perdana of Pas Candidate Declaration for the Kemaman Parliamentary By-Election at the Kemaman Arena Square Open Hall.

Noor Nirwandy mentioned that although this strategy seems to favour Pas, from the perspective of national leadership, it no longer represents a democratic process when the same individual is repeatedly nominated for a parliamentary seat.

He stated that this matter needs to be reconsidered to ensure that political reforms continue to safeguard the interests of the people and the nation.

He said that Pas should be bolder in presenting new candidates and more open in selecting leaders.

"Although there are other states doing the same thing, we want a renewal of individuals who can demonstrate their abilities in state and federal leadership.

"This trend needs to be revisited, as it clearly indicates a deficiency in the public's confidence in the practice of political democracy in Malaysia when it starts to be dominated or controlled by specific groups," he said.

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 28 as the early polling date, while December 2 will be the polling day following the Terengganu Election Court's decision on September 26, which nullified the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th General Election (GE15).