GE15: Tajuddin a local favourite to defend Pasir Salak, but will Umno relent?

PASIR SALAK – Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman may have fallen out of favour with Umno’s top brass, but his popularity among Pasir Salak voters could still be a factor for his candidacy.

With the general election (GE15) on November 19 set to see multi-cornered fights in almost every seat, it remains to be seen if Umno will drop a relatively safe candidate who would likely secure a victory, or field a new face. 

If sentiments on the ground in this Perak federal seat are to serve as an indication, then Tajuddin appears to command the support of many constituents and even some Umno colleagues.

Speaking to The Vibes, senior party leader and incumbent Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz believes Umno leaders should put aside personal feelings in selecting prospective candidates. 

Instead, the main consideration should be the candidate’s “winnability”, said Nazri, a former cabinet member.

Leaders, too, should focus their efforts on attacking the opposition, rather than training their guns at one of their own, he added.

“Whether a particular person can safely deliver the seat, that is more important,” he said when met in Kuala Kangsar recently. 

We in Umno should not bother if Tajuddin is vocal (against the party). You have the opposition who hate us more. So why does it matter to us anyway? We just want to win.”

Nazri said he hopes party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob can reach a consensus in nominating Tajuddin to defend Pasir Salak. 

The filing of candidate nominations for GE15 is on November 5.

Rumours of Tajuddin’s non-candidacy first surfaced after he was suspended from Umno last month, supposedly for going overboard in his criticism of Zahid.

The outspoken Tajuddin went on a warpath with Umno after he was removed from the Supreme Council in June. 

The removal came less than a year after he was stripped of his position as Umno election director, amid a rumoured falling out with the president.

Following this, he fired several salvos against Zahid, including revelations that the latter had signed a statutory declaration supporting opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

Tajuddin also claimed there had been an internal movement to topple Zahid as the party’s president.

Tajuddin said then, that even if he was sacked, he would defend Pasir Salak as an independent candidate and called it a “walk in the park”, considering the strong support he enjoys. 

Tajuddin’s contribution ‘undeniable’

While Tajuddin is controversial and widely criticised by urban civil society groups for his sexist and offensive remarks in the Dewan Rakyat, Pasir Salak voters prefer to focus on his contribution to the community and his hands-on approach to many issues. 

He was first elected MP in 2008 and defended the seat in the 2013 and 2018 general elections. Pasir Salak was an Umno stronghold even before 2008.

A fishmonger, who only wanted to be known as Pak Long Zam, told The Vibes that while age could play a factor in Tajuddin’s nomination, he intends to vote for the 74-year-old lawmaker, should Umno decide to stick with the incumbent.

“Age-wise, he is as old as my father. But when you talk about his service to the community, I can’t deny it. Never has he turned down anyone who invited him to a programme or wanted to meet him. 

“If he still has the ability to fight for the youth and the rights of the Malay Muslims, please carry on. We will always have your back,” he said, adding that even if Tajuddin is dropped, he should be given an advisory role to assist younger candidates. 

A sundry shop operator, who did not want to be named, concurred that Tajuddin is easily approachable, always helpful, and a rakyat-friendly lawmaker. 

“I’m not his voter, but for many of the people here, he is okay. He helps a lot… he often attends programmes here and visits our shops. He is friendly with the people and doesn’t act like he is above anyone else. 

“He is a different person in Parliament and outside. Here, he is more friendly. He doesn’t regard himself as a Datuk. If he is dining out, he will pay for others’ meals without telling them.”

Another Pasir Salak constituent who wanted to be known just as Zaidi said Tajuddin is not only likeable among the Malay voters but also Chinese and Indians, who find him easy to communicate with. 

“Tajuddin is good at winning people’s hearts. He has also provided much assistance.

“Also, there are many elderly voters here who are very loyal. So they will continue to support him. 

“If there is a new candidate here, I don’t think people will be okay with that, even if he is endorsed by Tajuddin or is a prominent person. 

“But if Tajuddin himself contests, then that’s okay,” he said. – The Vibes, October 26, 2022

Additional reporting by Lancelot Theseira