Tok Mat's 'friendliness' a pull among some Rantau voters

With nomination day for the Rantau by-election less than two weeks away, a number of voters polled by Malaysiakini have sung the praises of the BN candidate Mohamad Hasan.

Constituents in Taman Angsamas said "there is no question" about them casting their votes for the acting Umno president come polling day.

Rashidah Manan, 56, and Mahnoyah Bador, 58, expressed hope that Mohamad – popularly known as 'Tok Mat' – will retain the state seat in the BN stronghold due to his track record.

"I think Tok Mat will win. In my working place, a lot of people support Pakatan Harapan, but there are still those who support Tok Mat. It is a close race.

"In terms of allocations, if we needed any help, Tok Mat always helped. He is clean (from corruption), and he had no qualms about assisting those who need help," said Rashidah.

Mahyonah (below) will never forget the help extended by the administration of the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar when several homes, inlcuding hers, were destroyed by a storm some years ago.

"I think Tok Mat will win. In my housing area, there are many Tok Mat supporters. He is a good person. He will turn up if invited for weddings by his constituents."

The Rantau by-election was called following a decision by the Election Court to void Mohamad's win in the 14th general election.

This was after the returning officer had prevented Harapan candidate Dr S Streram from entering the nomination centre to file his nomination papers, resulting in a walkover for Mohamad.

The Umno leader is expected to defend the state seat against Streram.

Will vote for BN regardless

Hardcore BN supporter Fazila Isa, 47, told Malaysiakini she will vote for the coalition no matter who it fields, based on her "loyalty to the party, and not individuals."

"Some people choose the candidates, but I vote for the party, regardless of who is fielded.

"When I first started voting, it was in Mambau. There, the (BN) candidate was from MCA, and I still voted for the candidate, with unwavering support for BN," she said.

Another voter, Adzhar Ismail (above), 64, echoed Rashidah and Mahyonah's remarks about Mohamad's friendliness.

"Tok Mat is a good man, back then and now. Wherever he goes, he will mingle with the people. 

"When two of my children got married, I invited him and provided a VVIP table for him, but he refused to sit there, and sat among the people," he recalled.

Adzhar, who is also the Taman Kelab Tengku Mambau Umno secretary, said his friends from PAS would not hesitate to vote for Umno in the by-election, given the recent cooperation between the two parties.

Senior citizen Zanudin Khamis (below), 70, hoped the Malays will unite to vote for Mohamad and Umno. His sentiment was echoed by Asiah Wahab, 70, who also thinks that a lot of people are supporting Mohamad.

"When I take a cab to go to Seremban, all they mention is Tok Mat, and that he will win," she said.

Rantau has been a BN stronghold since 2004, with Mohamad winning the seat by large majorities until his walkover last year.

The seat consists of 54 percent Malay voters, 27 percent Indians, 19 percent Chinese, and one percent others.

'BN cannot be relied upon'

Despite the apparent overwhelming support for Mohamad, there are also constituents who are mulling switching sides come polling day on April 13.

Mohd Daud Semek, 63, said he is considering voting for the Harapan candidate, as BN "cannot be relied upon."

Acknowledging that locals used to prefer BN, Daud (below) opined that many scandals allegedly linked to Mohamad could cause BN supporters to switch alliances.

He cited as an example the purportedly low rate of compensation paid to settlers of Felda Sendayan for their land, while developers built houses there that were later sold at high prices.

"My many relatives in Sendayan are unhappy with BN for that reason.

"I have been here for very long. The people used to trust BN, but when all these issues unravelled, Tok Mat played nice to the people, while stabbing them in the back," he claimed.

Race also plays a part for some voters.

Ismail Ahmad, 55, said he had never supported BN, but he may vote for the coalition as the Harapan candidate (Streram) is a non-Malay.

"It's not because I'm a BN supporter, but because he (Streram) is an Indian. Here (in Rantau), the percentage of Malays is not that high, so it is improper if I don't vote for a Malay."

Given Mohamad's "excellent" track record, a lot of Harapan supporters may also vote for Mohamad, Ismail (above) claimed.

Anuar Ujang, 45, prefers to take a cautious "wait and see" approach.

There is little difference between the BN and Harapan administrations, Anuar claimed, as both allegedly stinge on extending help to the needy – like himself.

"To me, then or now, it's the same. I don't gain anything. Whatever assistance is given, I don't get it.

"I have not decided who I will vote for. When it's polling day, my vote will go for who I have benefited from the most."

Nomination for the Rantau by-election takes place March 30. Voters will go to the polls two weeks later, on April 13.