INTERVIEW | Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir remains coy about where he will contest in the 14th general election, but his affinity for Jerlun narrows his options down to a small number of seats.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Mukhriz refused to reveal any details, but spoke of a commitment he made to the people of Jerlun when he made his electoral debut in 2008.

“They told me that Jerlun has always been where people come and contest and then win and move out.

“They used Jerlun as a stepping stone, and they wanted to hear from me whether I looked at Jerlun like that.

“So I made a commitment in 2008 that if they allow me (to win), I want to stay.

“Whether I stand for Parliament or state, I’ll still be in Jerlun, this is what I promised them in 2008 and I plan to keep that promise,” Mukhriz said.

Since the Jerlun parliamentary constituency was created, it has seen five different MPs in five general elections.

Mukhriz, while still in Umno, won Jerlun in the 2008 general election with a 2,205-vote majority.

In the 2013 general election, Mukhriz was moved to a state seat, Ayer Hitam, one of the two state seats under the Jerlun parliamentary constituency.

When prodded further, Mukhriz said he was uncertain whether he would be contesting a state or parliamentary seat, or both, in GE14.

He also remained tight-lipped on whether he would become Kedah menteri besar or a federal minister should Harapan capture both the Kedah and federal governments.

“I don’t know yet, this is a matter for the top leadership to decide,” he said, adding that he has no preference.

“Actually, it cannot be personal. It has to be something that is based on the thinking of the top leadership in Harapan. It could be a strategy to gain the most votes and win the state.

“We’re being presumptuous here, that I will first contest a state seat, then win it, then win the majority of state seats. Only then we can form a government, so there are still a number of steps before we get there,” he added.

Mukhriz also conceded that capturing Kedah by the federal opposition would be no walk in the park.

“We don’t know whether or not voters would vote for Harapan or myself, as I am no longer in Umno.

“From what we’ve seen so far, we think it is possible, because the voters are sick of Umno – and that will influence them to vote for Harapan,” he said.

Other factors, such as three-cornered fights – with PAS stepping into the fray – must also be taken into account, he added.

BN, PAS and Harapan are set to contest in all of the 36 state seats in the forthcoming general election.

Bakar Bata, Langkawi in crosshairs

Among the state seats in Kedah, Mukhriz expects to see the fiercest contest in Bakar Bata, whose incumbent is Kedah menteri besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

In the last general election, Bashah won Bakar Bata with a slim 895-vote majority.

Bashah was Mukhriz’s successor after a coup against him in February 2016.

He was still in Umno at the time, but earned the wrath of the central leadership due to the quest of his father Dr Mahathir Mohamad to unseat Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mukhriz was sacked in June 2016, and subsequently became a founding member of Umno splinter party Bersatu.

Another hot seat, he added, is the parliamentary seat of Langkawi, where Mahathir, who is the Bersatu chairperson, is said to be mulling a bid.

“I think all Umno state assemblypersons under Langkawi are afraid. Before this, the BN candidate for Langkawi would say how it was Mahathir who had developed Langkawi.

“The people of Langkawi received various benefits when it got the special attention of the prime minister – this has always been used by BN to convince the rakyat.

“But Bashah himself said that Mahathir has made no contribution to Langkawi, so we want to ask the people of Langkawi themselves whether this is true or not,” he said.

The state seats under Langkawi are Ayer Hangat and Kuah.

During his visit to Langkawi last month, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced RM1.3 billion worth of projects in Langkawi.

With the various resources pouring in, some wonder if Mahathir stands a chance to win the seat.

However, Mukhriz believes that the announcement on the projects was a clear indication that BN feels insecure in Langkawi.

“And now, suddenly, Najib appears in Langkawi (photo), announces RM1.3 billion. I think everyone is falling off their chairs, when clearly this is an election promise because whatever he promises, he’s not going to be able to fulfil this before the election.

“Everyone knows these promises were made to mitigate the possibility that Mahathir might stand in Langkawi.

Mukhriz also questioned whether feedback was obtained from the people of Langkawi before the announcement was made.

“I don’t think they got real feedback from people of Langkawi on what they really want – is it really a hospital extension they want, with such a small population?

“Of course, it is a tourist population. But what kind of hospital are you going to build?

“You already have a hospital, but why announce a half billion ringgit extension when, until now, we have a problem to attract good doctors to come and work in Langkawi?” he asked.

READ MORE
Mukhriz: Dad threw a fit when Umno tried to field me in election
Mukhriz admits playing race card as Umno man, ‘but Bersatu different’