COMMENT It will be a case of ‘damned if it does, and damned if it doesn't', as Umno ponders its choice of candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election in Negri Sembilan. An announcement is expected this evening.

Mohd Isa Abdul Samad is the undisputed candidate, as far as the Teluk Kemang Umno division is concerned. Its Youth chief Mohd Faizal Ramli claimed that Mohd Isa not only has the support of division members but also of Indian and Chinese voters in Teluk Kemang.

The Umno leadership is understandably reluctant to field Mohd Isa who was found guilty of money politics in the party elections in 2005. He was banned from holding any position for two terms, or six years, although this was reduced to three years on appeal.

NONE Mohd Faizal insisted that a ‘party-based offence' has no bearing on voters, who are happy that Mohd Isa has done much to solve their problems.

Mohd Isa, 60, was menteri besar of Negri Sembilan for 22 years and was member of parliament for Jempol for one term. He has the advantage of being a ‘local boy' as he comes from Bagan Pinang, while his friendly and jovial personality has ensured good rapport among constituents.

Umno president and premier Najib Abdul Razak (left) now finds himself in a Catch-22 situation - if he endorses Mohd Isa's candidacy, he could be severely criticised by party elder Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir has already voiced disapproval, saying voters could see it as indication that Umno is not serious about fighting corruption.

If Najib agrees, he could be seen as being controlled by Mahathir, and thereby provide more fodder for his critics.

Local opposition

To complicate matters, Negri Sembilan Umno is likely to react adversely if Mohd Isa is fielded. If he wins and if there is a reshuffle at the top, incumbent Menteri Besar Mohd Hassan could feel the heat as he was aligned to former Umno head and premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"The point is that Mohd Isa is a senior leader and was once the menteri besar. It's unlikely he will return to state assembly as only an assemblyperson. Mohd Isa is Najib's man. This has made Mohd Hassan worried," said a party source.

Mohd Faizal said Najib has played the smart card to defuse tension among supporters by requesting Mohd Isa to name alternatives.

This is intended to prevent sabotage from Mohd Isa's camp, as the alternative - if selected - would be deemed a proxy.

This will be the ninth by-election since the general election in March last year. It was called following the death of BN's Azman Mohd Noor, 54, on Sept 4.

The nominations will be filed on Sunday and polling will be held on Oct 11. PAS has said it will contest, and its candidate is likely to be announced tonight.