GE15: Titiwangsa showdown sees PH’s Kg Baru champion v Umno’s moneybags

KUALA LUMPUR – The clash between Amanah veteran and popular community activist Khalid Abdul Samad, and Umno’s business mogul Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani is tipped to be a mouth-watering contest in Titiwangsa. 

If past iterations of the general elections are any indication, the result of the coming federal polls for the urban constituency is anyone’s guess – and could go down to the wire. 

The seat has already seen candidates from three different parties obtain the people’s mandate in past three elections, indicating that voters there are more amenable to experimenting with new faces and accepting changes. 

More interestingly, majority votes during these elections have been somewhat marginal. 

In 2008, PAS candidate Lo’ Lo’ Mohd Ghazali won the seat with a majority of 1,972 votes (5.84%), before Johari secured victory in 2013 by a whisker of 866 votes (1.92%). 

While Bersatu’s Datuk Seri Rina Harun defeated Johari in 2018 to win the seat with a majority of 4,139, this figure only accounted for 8.21% of 50,858 overall votes. Her victory then was also aided by a multi-cornered fight featuring PAS. 

Rina’s popularity in Titiwangsa has since dwindled following her party’s decision to part ways with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2020. This perhaps explains her decision to abandon the seat for Sepang. 

However, her “betrayal” and poor performance have now left a bad taste in the mouth of constituents there, which could potentially influence votes and affect PH’s chance at defending the seat. 

That Khalid had to leave the comfort of his Shah Alam parliamentary seat – which he has comfortably won three consecutive times – to contest Titiwangsa shows also how much PH is concerned about losing it. 

Khalid shows care, deserves a chance

The coalition perhaps sees him as the ideal candidate, considering his previous brief stint as federal territories minister and his continued advocacy of the Kg Sg Baru land acquisition issue. 

A recent visit by The Vibes to the Malay enclave in central Kuala Lumpur showed that the residents were more receptive to giving Khalid a chance, as opposed to Johari. 

Sundry shop operator Zainab Alias, 63, whose house is among those that are affected by the land issue, said while Johari’s overall performance during his MP stint from 2013 to 2018 was admirable, he has not shown as much interest in the Kg Baru predicament. 

“When we reached out to him for assistance on the land issue, he was not very helpful. Now that the election is close, we do see him in the area,” she said when met recently. 

In comparison, Zainab said Khalid has been frequenting affected residents over the past years to hear their plight, and noted how the Amanah communications director has consistently fighting for their rights. 

“If we look at Shah Alam, so far it seems that his performance has been good. Why not give him a chance? If he’s not good, then we change in the next election. But he does seem to be on the ground often, not just during elections.”

Housewife Norjani Dikir, 58, similarly said Johari has only recently begun visiting the Kg Baru area, ostensibly in an attempt to draw the support of the residents. 

“Sometimes we can see him on walkabouts, but many don’t bother to meet him because we have lost heart. Previously when we sought his help on the land issue, he said there’s nothing he can do because he has no power.”

Another Kg Baru resident, Muhamad Isha Mukisan, 48, who works as a security guard, said while Johari had always offered financial help to constituents during his time as MP, Khalid is also someone who does show care. 

“He is always visiting and asking people here about our well-being, and can be seen on the ground.”

Even without position, Jo conducts groundwork, provides aid

However, if the overall Titiwangsa voters’ sentiments are to serve as any indication, Khalid will have to rely on much more than Kg Baru residents’ support to win the seat. 

A check by The Vibes found that a number of district polling centres in the Malay-majority constituency still heavily favour Umno, and in particular Johari – whom voters regard very highly. 

While he does not have the advantage of party incumbency in Titiwangsa, the former deputy finance minister has a much stronger base and machinery there, having worked out of the constituency over the past decade. 

Being a successful corporate figure has also allowed Johari, who is considered to be one of Umno’s main moneymen, to fund much of his own campaign, despite not getting an MP’s allowance or constituency funding. 

Accounting clerk Nurfadilah Md Yusof, 35, probably summed it up best when she noted that Johari has been consistently serving the rakyat in the constituency even when he was not serving as a parliamentarian. 

She said the best example of this was during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when the Umno man had frequented, in particular, areas with a high number of low-income households. 

“He would give out some assistance, or provide a wheelchair to those who need it. He is the polar opposite of Rina, who is an MP but doesn’t act like one,” she said. 

Another youth voter, who did not want to be named, also heaped praise on Johari, describing him as someone who shows interest in uplifting the younger generation of Malaysians. 

This is backed by Johari’s own campaigning in recent weeks, with much of his attention appearing geared towards wooing first-time voters, as numerous of his social media posts show him conducting programmes specifically meant for the youth. 

If it does come down to the wire, then this group of fence sitters and new voters could likely determine the outcome of the Titiwangsa election, a segment that Khalid should not ignore. – The Vibes, November 4, 2022