Now it's all up to Muhyiddin 'the doer'

news analysis As attention shifts away from the polls during the 59th Umno general assembly to the three by-elections on April 7, the focus is zooming in on what new deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin will bring to the campaign.

Muhyiddin, 61, will lead the BN campaign that will attempt to wrest Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau from opposition hands while retaining Batang Ai.

He has a reputation of being a doer and a hard worker who performs every task well. For this alone, his obvious limitations in the oratory and image departments are overlooked - his speeches aren’t exactly scintillating, while he seldom smiles.

He acknowledged as much before delivering his speech as Umno deputy president on Saturday - he gestured with his fingers to indicate a smile, which the delegates greeted with loud cheers.

His apology to outgoing president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, for having been vocal in calling for an earlier transition of power, was also lauded as a mark of a true leader.

With Muhyiddin at the helm of the BN election machinery, better organisation can be expected, based on his impeccable track record in government.

As menteri besar, he had transformed Johor into an industrial state over 10 years.

He curbed inflation during his tenure as domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, and managed a ‘green’ revolution as agriculture and agro-based industries minister to reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.

After BN’s battering in the 12th general election, Muhyiddin was appointed international trade and industry minister - he has done so well that even Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has praised him for helping to attract investments to the opposition-held state.

Can Muhyiddin overturn the deficit?

In the coming days, Muhyiddin is expected to criss-cross Perak and Kedah to present BN’s case for a second chance, as well as move into Sarawak to persuade voters to keep their faith.

The biggest challenge he faces will be in Bukit Gantang, where BN’s Ismail Safian is involved in a three-way fight with Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS and Independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

Bukit Gantang was a BN bastion until the last general election. However, Ismail is already well behind Nizar (right) in the popularity stakes.

Political observers, including those from Umno, estimate that Nizar holds 70 percent of the electorate’s support after being ousted as menteri besar of Perak last month by BN.

Certainly, what is seen as a power grab helmed by Umno in particular, has not gone down well with voters in Perak who would have preferred a snap election to determine the victors in the state.

The BN’s perceived unfairness in dealing with the ‘vanquished’ has not helped either.

Muhyiddin now has 10 days to overturn the deficit and to try and correct the ‘wrongs’ in the public mind.

However, he will first have to deal with the fallout within Umno over the choice of the BN candidate for the parliamentary seat.

Candidate not a popular choice

Umno insiders said Ismail is not a popular choice even within his own division, where he was former information chief. Although a local, his chances of victory may be hampered because he does not hold a senior post in the Umno division.

There were also other names ahead of his in the proposed candidacy list - newly- appointed Wanita Umno deputy chief Kamilia Ibrahim (left) and division deputy chief Kamarulai Suleiman, among these. As such, Ismail is seen as a ‘parachute candidate’.

The battle for Bukit Gantang will be an uphill one for all concerned.

Muhyiddin has the opportunity to better the dismal results recorded by new boss Najib Abdul Razak, under whose supervision BN failed to win the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu by-elections held last August and in January this year respectively.

If he can deliver Bukit Gantang, it will be seen as a referendum on BN’s legitimacy in heading the Perak government, as well as add a vital seat to the coalition’s total in Parliament.

Winning the other two seats will be icing on the cake.