Harapan may wrest Cameron from BN if Ramli elected, says source
CAMERON POLLS | Pakatan Harapan may end up with the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat even if BN wins on Jan 26 – if direct candidate Ramli Mohd Nor joins the ruling coalition after the by-election.
A highly-ranked source from a BN component party, who is involved in Ramli's campaign, also predicted that the former top cop could choose to become an independent if he wins.
"Most people will say this is impossible, it will not happen. But, in politics, anything is possible," the source told Malaysiakini...
CAMERON POLLS | Pakatan Harapan may end up with the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat even if BN wins on Jan 26 – if direct candidate Ramli Mohd Nor joins the ruling coalition after the by-election.
A highly-ranked source from a BN component party, who is involved in Ramli's campaign, also predicted that the former top cop could choose to become an independent if he wins.
"Most people will say this is impossible, it will not happen, but in politics anything is possible.
"As it is, there is already a Harapan component party trying to woo Ramli to join its ranks, in case he wins the by-election," the source told Malaysiakini.
The move, added the source, would make it easier for Ramli – a Cameron Highlands local from the Semai tribe – to fight for the development of the Orang Asli.
"I would not be surprised if he is given a deputy minister's position to look after the welfare of Orang Asli nationwide."
According to the source, the move is not just theoretical, but a possibility frequently discussed within BN ranks.
"A lot of BN members, especially in Cameron Highlands, are questioning whether Ramli could join Harapan if he wins in the polls.
"The BN grassroots in Cameron Highlands ask us this question almost every day, because he is not yet a member of any BN party."
'Welfare more important'
Asked whether switching over to Harapan after winning the by-election would constitute a betrayal of BN's trust, the source pointed out that it was the coalition that approached Ramli to become a direct candidate.
"I have spoken to Ramli several times. He always talks about the welfare of Orang Asli.
"In my opinion, the welfare of the community is more important to him than being a BN lawmaker who can apply pressure on Harapan.
"Being a Harapan representative will ensure that Ramli has the best avenue to look after the welfare of his community."
According to the source, the Harapan party trying to woo Ramli will make the offer if its candidate M Manogaran loses the by-election.
However, the source refused to divulge the name of the party involved.
"This may be the reason why, in the beginning, there were several MIC leaders up in arms over Ramli being fielded as a candidate," the source added.
Ramli – who headed the Penang Commercial Crimes Division before his retirement from the police force, and who is currently pursuing his doctorate in business administration – has never been a member of any political party.
Besides Ramli and Manogaran, two other independents – Sallehudin Ab Talib, and Wong Seng Yee – are also contesting in the Jan 26 by-election.
The Orang Asli make up over 20 percent of the Cameron Highlands electorate.
Malaysiakini is attempting to reach Ramli and BN leaders to respond to this claim that he would defect from the BN if he wins.
