GE14 | Driving northbound along Federal Route 1 from Selangor, oil palm trees and forests line the roads to Tanjung Malim on the southernmost tip of Perak, before the ‘old road’ narrows and leads to the 10 Felda settlements tucked within.

The snaky roads winding deep into Felda territory seem endless, with hazy mountains visible in the distance. Total darkness descends at night, with illumination only coming from the houses dotted along the side.

With agriculture the main economic activity here, the semi-rural constituency has remained a BN stronghold for over six decades.

Tanjung Malim is among the largest of the 24 parliamentary constituencies in Perak, with the highest concentration of Felda settlers in the state – making up about 20 percent of the 68,468 voters in the constituency.

The seat is currently held by MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan, who defeated PKR's Tan Yee Kew by 4,328 votes in the 2013 polls.

The constituency comprises three state seats, namely Behrang in the south, Slim and Sungkai.

The Malay-majority Behrang and Slim are held by BN, with half of Perak’s 20 Felda villages shared between the two constituencies.

Behrang contains Felda Sungai Behrang, Felda Trolak Timur and Felda Sungai Klah, while Slim houses Felda Gunung Besout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Felda Trolak Utara and Felda Trolak Selatan.

Sungkai, meanwhile, is a Chinese-majority seat which DAP’s A Sivanesan won by 3,511 votes in 2013...