KUALA LUMPUR – The Kelantan Network of Orang Asli Villages (JKOAK) has urged Umno to replace Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah with Cameron Highlands lawmaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor in the coming general election.
This is in the event Umno fails in its negotiation with fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component MIC to defend the Cameron Highlands seat.
In a statement, JKOAK deputy chairman Nasir Dollah said the group believes Ramli is able to perform admirably in the constituency should he be given the mandate by Umno, going by his performance since being elected as Cameron Highlands MP.
“In Gua Musang, there are many issues that need immediate intervention. Honestly, JKOAK doesn’t really support Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh), seeing that many problems remained unresolved despite him representing the constituency close to five terms.
“Among other things, the roads in the Kuala Betis Orang Asli settlement have not been maintained well, what more in the rural areas,” he said today.
Ramli is the first and only Orang Asli representative in the Dewan Rakyat after he won the Cameron Highlands by-election in January 2019.
The seat became vacant following the election court’s decision to declare BN’s 2018 victory there as null and void, after finding its candidate Datuk C. Sivarraajh from MIC guilty of corrupt practices to induce voters.
It is also the first time the seat is held by a non-MIC leader, with the BN component winning in every election since the constituency was introduced in 2003.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini quoted sources as saying that the Indian-based party wants to reclaim the seat from Umno, although the latter appear reluctant.
In this regard, Nasir urged Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to remain firm in his stand not to accede to MIC’s demands.
“We urge MIC to give the opportunity to Ramli, as he is the sole Orang Asli lawmaker in Parliament. His commitment has been brilliant, be it in the august house or in his constituency.
“He has also been vocal on issues concerning the Orang Asli. As such, if Umno and BN really want to give the opportunity and space to an Orang Asli, then any conflict between MIC and Umno must be resolved.”
Nasir said if all else fails, only then should Umno consider moving Ramli to Gua Musang. – The Vibes, September 29, 2022
