A reversal of roles is playing out in the Titiwangsa parliamentary contest between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Aziz Jamaluddin Md Tahir and PAS’ Dr Lo’ Lo Mohd Ghazali.

While most would imagine a BN ‘worldly’ professional pitting his secular skills and pragmatism against a PAS’ ‘other-worldly’ cleric citing scriptures and Islamic tenants, the fight between Aziz and Lo’ Lo’ suggests an aberration from the usual.

This time, it is BN that is seeking to appeal with Aziz’ religious credentials and familiarity with the local mosque circuits.

A Syariah graduate from the Al-Azhar University in Egypt and former chairperson of Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Aziz was touted as the surprise choice for BN over Titiwangsa incumbent MP Astaman Aziz as well as deputy-chief of Titiwangsa’s Umno division and corporate figure Johari Abdul Ghani.

titiwangsa contest 250208 lo lo mohd ghazali On the other hand, Lo’ Lo’ has been portrayed in the media as an ‘outsider’ and a desperate attempt by PAS to reverse its misfortunes in Titiwangsa - for a long time an Umno stronghold - by fielding a woman after all its men had failed to do the job.

Titwangsa has about 50,000 voters, 65 percent of whom are Malay, while Chinese and Indian voters make up 22.9 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively.

In the 2004 general election, Astaman trounced PAS candidate Mohd Noor Mohamad by winning 22,910 votes, more than twice the number garnered by Mohd Noor.

It remains to be seen whether Lo’ Lo’s ‘secular’ qualifications as a medical officer over the past 25 years and her experience as the executive director of a medical centre outside Kuala Lumpur for the past 14 years would be used against her as the election campaign heats up.

No cheap tactics

bn titiwangsa candidate aziz jamaluddin md tahir Yesterday, both Aziz and Lo’ Lo’ denied that cheap tactics or insinuations would be used in their campaigns.

"We are contesting on equal standing. She is also educated and knowledgeable, we have about the same background. I hope we will campaign as people befitting our knowledge, in a healthy way," said Aziz.

"I have no agenda to destroy anybody’s integrity. The ethics that we share do not allow us to do this," he added.

Similarly, Lo’ Lo called on both parties and their members to abide by the rules of engagement and conduct themselves as befitting their reputation as leading Muslim figures in their respective communities.

"We are both ‘masjid people’, so I hope we campaign as how people who regularly go to the mosque should campaign," she said.

Met today, Lo’ Lo’ said Aziz and BN had exploited the uneven playing field even before the campaign period started.

titiwangsa contest 250208 government building She pointed out that BN’s operations room was situated within the premises of the Community Women’s Complex in Desa Pandan belonging to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

It also reflected the fact that opposition parties were not just contesting against BN but against the government as a whole, she said.

"This shows the lack of transparency of the BN government, where it is extremely difficult for opposition parties to be able to rent public or government facilities but it is the contrary for BN’s component parties," she said.

Aziz could not be reached for comments.

However, his media and public relations director Zahari Affandi told Malaysiakini there is nothing in the election laws to prevent any non-governmental organisation, society, or political party from leasing a government facility for its own use.

"As long the activities carried out are not harmful or detrimental to the society at large, we are allowed and have been given permission to rent the building," he said.