ANALYSIS Speculation is rife that the BN leadership may go for a repeat performance of the recent Tenang by-election win by picking an outsider within Jasin Umno for the Merlimau fight, nomination for which is set for Feb 26 with polling to take place on March 6.

Taking a leaf from the Tenang by-election triumph of Mohd Azhar Ibrahim, a former assistant district officer with strong party connections, recording a higher majority by garnering 3,707 votes, the Merlimau by-election may see a similar scenario.

It is learnt that the mere mention of this potential candidate could sent shivers down the spines of the opposition parties of PAS, PKR and DAP, as they already know that they are facing an uphill battle, but the task would be made nearly impossible if this person was picked.

NONE The potential candidate is a Merlimau native, who had his early education at SMK Dang Anum in Merlimau before continuing his studies at Universiti Malaya.

The BN secret weapon is none other than Zaini Md Noor ( left ), the first mayor of the Malacca Historic City, responsible for gaining that status as well making the city known for its cleanliness and tourist attractions.

Potential candidate multi-talented

Zaini was also known to have efficiently managed the city's waste disposal system and is said to be close to the people, attending various gotong-royong functions and meeting the grassroots as often as possible.

ali rustam interview 281008 01 Known to be quiet, graft-free and hardworking, the unassuming civil servant was plucked by Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam ( right ) from the Malacca State Development Corporation for a senior post in the municipal council, before becoming its president and then mayor.

Zaini is presently the chief executive officer of the National Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Corporation, under the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

The passing away of the late Mohd Hidhir Abu Hassan, who was also a state executive councillor in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, has left a gap in the state administration.

Mohd Ali had elected not to appoint any assemblyperson from Jasin Umno to fill the gap. Besides Hidhir, Jasin Umno secretary Ghazale Muhamad and Sungai Rambai assemblyperson Hasan Rahman, who is Jasin Umno information chief, hold deputy state exco posts in the state administration.

When another exco member, former Malacca MCA chief Poh Ah Tiam, died, his post was immediately filled by another MCA representative, Gan Tian Loo.

So the person contesting in Merlimau is likely to hold an exco post to fill the Jasin Umno quota.

Certainly, Mohd Ali needs someone whom he can work with. By placing a credible candidate respected by everyone, the appointment would not raise questions within the division.

Certainly, Zaini fits the bill with his stellar record, although it is learnt that he is not a member of that division. At the same time, Mohd Ali would be seen as injecting new blood in the Malacca Umno line-up.

Close-one-eye incident, opened others

Sources revealed that members are not keen on Jasin Umno division deputy chief Mohamad Said Yusof as a choice.

The controversial politician allegedly does not project a proper image because of the ‘close-one-eye incident'.

azlan According to a source, among the four other names shortlisted are its Wanita chief Zaleha Bujang and Jasin Umno committee member Nasir Bazid. Nasir, a lab assistant and the coordinator for the Merlimau constituency who are said to be among the front-runners.

The others are Mohd Nasser Selamat and Roslan Ahmad, who are both Jasin Umno committee members.

Mohd Nasser is the Malacca Customary Land Corporation chairperson, while Roslan is the chairperson of the state-owned Syarikat Permodalan Melaka Sdn Bhd.

Roslan, said to be another early favourite, is also the son of former Malacca exco member Ahmad Ithnin and nephew of former chief minister Abu Zahar Isnin.

The chief minister has been appointed as the by-election director, and it is learnt that the names of the shortlisted candidates had been submitted recently.

PAS has been chosen to represent the Pakatan Rakyat in the contest. It will select its candidate on Sunday.

The Islamist party is said to have shortlisted Malacca PAS women's wing secretary Kintan Man, state party information chief Kamaruddin Sidek, Jasin PAS division chief and former candidate for the Merlimau seat Jasme Tompang, and Jasin PAS deputy chief Yuhaizan Abdullah.