GEORGE TOWN – Penang Umno is hoping to secure four of the six seats it is contesting in the upcoming state election here after it revealed a candidate list of almost 70% fresh faces.
Party insiders said that the four seats could be Bertam, Permatang Berangan, Penaga and Teluk Bahang but it also depends on who its ally Pakatan Harapan (PH) fields as candidates, as well as who are the opposition – Perikatan Nasional (PN) – candidates.
“Ideally, we want to win all six, but we must be realistic. We have a tough opponent.”
Other than former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who is contesting in the Bertam seat, notable candidates are the incumbent for Permatang Berangan, Nor Hafizah Othman; Penang Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Shaik Hussein Mydin, who is seeking the Sg Dua seat; and Ahmad Zaki Shah Headan, the son of a former assemblyman, who is vying for the Teluk Bahang seat.
A dark horse is Mohd Naim Salleh, who is an ulama and comes from a renowned family in the Penaga seat while Zaki is the son of former Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah.
Shah Headan is considered among the few veteran Umno leaders to enjoy a close rapport with DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng when both served in the state assembly.
The remaining seat being eyed by Umno is Sg Acheh, and that will be contested by Rashidi Zinol.
The upcoming election also marks the retirement of Barisan Nasional (BN) opposition leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor, who is making way for Shaik Hussein.
Yusoff held the ship for Umno during the stormy period from 2018 until now.
The battlegrounds would likely be the Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas parliamentary areas, which fell to PN in last November’s general election.
Nor Hafizah will have her hands full defending her seat, as she would be up against a cadre of PAS leaders, including perhaps the fiery cleric Sobhi Omar.
Similarly, Shaik Hussein, who is contesting away from his Bagan Umno division area, would be facing the might of Bersatu.
Bersatu’s Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan would be actively campaigning here.
But Penang Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Musa Sheikh Fadzir hopes that the new faces can provide an impetus for voters to allow Umno to have a presence here again.
“We want the new era in Malaysian politics to be marked by fresh leaders.”
As Penang is the home state of political icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the present and 10th prime minister, Musa said that it is a special incentive to contest here.
But he is conscious of the efforts by Bersatu and PAS together with Gerakan under PN to capitalise on their unexpected strong performance in the last general election here where they swept Tasek Gelugor, Kepala Batas and Permatang Pauh seats.
Political analyst Azizi Safar said that Umno’s outlook was based on the data from the last two general elections, including BN’s performance in the 2018 state polls in Penang.
“I think Umno knows its shortcomings, but it can put up a decent display if it returns to its roots of becoming a champion for the grassroots and to represent all people.”
Azizi said that the PN’s green wave in the last election cannot be underestimated, although it remains to be seen if it is sustainable.
But now with the national unity and Madani narrative, Azizi stressed that Umno will try to convince voters that it now has the best chance to return to government through a political pact with the dominant PH coalition in Penang.
It is said that Reezal Merican stands a chance of becoming the next deputy chief minister I if BN puts up a strong showing in the coming election.
“We also need a solid showing in the economy or least a road map towards regaining a strong economy to entice the fence sitters over to our side.”
Azizi also hopes that Umno’s loyal supporters, who are now outstation or overseas, can be lured to come back to vote. – The Vibes, July 22, 2023
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