KUALA LUMPUR – A ban on physical activities related to the Melaka election does not seem to bother Umno and Bersatu one bit, as top party leaders make their way down to the tourist-magnet coastal state a full week ahead of nomination.
Pakatan Harapan (PH), on the other hand, intends to continue playing it by the book, and appears unperturbed by the inroads made by its political rivals.
But will the “law-abiding” coalition find itself at the losing end come polling day on November 20?
This will not necessarily be the case, going by the assessment of PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, who said the component parties within PH are already accustomed to contesting at a handicap.
“Will it be unfair to PH? Yes. But in all our experience going into a competitive election, whether under Barisan Alternatif, Pakatan Rakyat, or now PH, we have always operated in spaces where we are at a disadvantage.
“It is familiar territory for us. I think the election will be very competitive, and I don’t think we will be at the losing end, exactly,” he told The Vibes yesterday.
“Once we start campaigning and the people see those parties flouting the law, this will build some kind of narrative against them – and perhaps get more people to come out and vote.”
Fahmi was commenting on the various programmes attended by Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Melaka earlier yesterday, despite the Health Ministry ban on any form of election-related physical gatherings.
Asked if he remains hopeful despite government parties utilising the law to their advantage, Fahmi said: “Yes...I don’t know if (Umno and Bersatu) doing full on physical campaigning in Melaka will give them the advantage.”
The Lembah Pantai MP said PH will instead find creative ways to campaign, but stopped short of elaborating, adding that a couple of things are currently being discussed internally.
The one concern Fahmi raised is whether PH will be afforded a level playing field like its rivals, as far as media access is concerned.
With no physical campaigning expected to be allowed, Fahmi said getting coverage will be the key in ensuring the coalition’s voice is heard by Melaka voters.
He said most PH leaders will be careful not to partake in any activities that could potentially contribute to a spike in Covid-19 cases, with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim supposedly already cancelling several planned programmes in the state.
Fines nothing to BN, PN compared to winning polls
DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago said he is not surprised by the clear lack of observance on standard operating procedures by the ruling government parties, particularly with the “prize” at stake.
“They have their eyes on the prize, which is a spot in the state government. Even if they pay RM200,000 in fines, if they can win the election and be the government, they can make millions.
So, they will break every possible rule (to be in power) – unless it sends them to jail.”
Asked whether the government leaders’ presence in Melaka – a week ahead of nomination – reeks of desperation and fear that PH could regain control of the state, Santiago did not rule this out.
“It’s possible in their own calculations, especially with a three-cornered fight and the possibility of PH taking over the state again – that is why we are seeing them breaking the rules.”
On how PH intends to capture votes with no physical campaigning allowed, Santiago said the coalition may have to bank on social media for campaigning.
However, he said this is only likely to cater to younger, urban constituents, with rural voters still preferring the physical presence of candidates.
Meanwhile, Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said his biggest gripe with Muhyiddin and Najib’s visit to Melaka is the number of officials and staff members that joined them.
The Pokok Sena lawmaker said in his personal view, he would still prefer that the government allow physical campaigning to be conducted at a limited capacity. – The Vibes, October 31, 2021
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