By Jahabar Sadiq
The Malaysian Insider
April 15, 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman will defend Gelang Patah against the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang while the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) now seeks a safe state seat for his potential successor as Johor mentri besar, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in Election 2013, say coalition sources.
Despite BN’s pledge to put new faces, The Malaysian Insider understands that the 66-year-old MB is the best bet against the 72-year-old Lim as the ruling coalition is depending on the Malay vote to carry it in the May 5 general election.
“It has been decided that Ghani will defend Gelang Patah as BN doesn’t want to risk losing its fixed deposit in Johor,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.
He said the MCA has agreed to give up the seat to Umno, under a strategy where the BN war room believes Umno candidates can beat back the DAP attack in Johor and other Malay-majority states rather than MCA hopefuls.
“There will be a number of veterans being asked to stay on and defend their seats because DAP and PAS together can cause trouble,” the BN source added, referring to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties that also includes PKR.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak is due to give out the final candidates’ lists to state coalition chiefs today, with the full list to be announced within the next 24 hours. The unprecedented announcement is to give time for the coalition to introduce new faces before the April 20 nomination day.
BN is now looking for a safe seat for Khaled as he is likely to be the mentri besar if the coalition keeps Johor.It is learnt that Umno was ready to drop Ghani, who has helmed the party bastion state for four terms since 1995, but Lim’s candidacy has forced a rethink.
“There was going to be a lot of changes but plans have been revised to keep PR out of Johor.
“We think Ghani can win against Kit Siang by at least a few thousand votes,” the source said, adding the coalition has given up on getting any substantial votes from the Chinese community.
PKR ran in Gelang Patah in the past two general elections, but lost both times to Johor Wanita MCA chief Tan Ah Eng. Tan kept the seat in Election 2008 with a majority of 8,851 votes, a smaller majority than the overwhelming 31,666-vote majority in 2004.
Chinese voters make up 54 per cent in the constituency, while Malays and Indians make up 34 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
Another source said BN is now looking for a safe seat for Khaled as he is likely to be the mentri besar if the coalition keeps Johor.
The two-term Pasir Gudang MP might not contest in the federal seat of Permas and Johor Jaya state seat as both have large numbers of Chinese voters.
“Chinese voters are a problem and we can’t rely on MCA to get support,” said the source.
Khaled has appeared unperturbed by the speculation over his next political career change, 23 years after he was first elected as a Johor MP in 1990.
“I do not know where I am going to contest and will have to wait for the final word from the prime minister,” he was quoted as saying by The Star on Saturday.
A total of 13.3 million voters, including 5,200 abroad, are expected to cast their ballots for 222 federal and 505 state seats in the May 5 general election. Sarawak had its state elections in 2011.
#1 by lee tai king (previously dagen) on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 8:19 am
I reckon 80% (min) chinese will vote LKS.
20% malays will do like wise and 10% indians too. LKS would be home on that basis – i.e. thin margin of 51-52%. And anything more (which is not unlikely) would be a bonus.
#2 by yhsiew on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 8:29 am
///BN is now looking for a safe seat for Khaled as he is likely to be the mentri besar…///
Where on earth do you have a party looking for a safe seat for its candidate?
#3 by Bigjoe on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 8:34 am
Ghani greatest threat is that he can also cross racial lines..But Gelang Patah Chinese is going to vote against BN because of MCA failure, not because they are against Ghani. Play up MCA failures and the Chinese votes should stay with PR.
Their strategy is to confine LKS to just 10% Malay and 30% Indian votes. Its just not that easy for even Ghani to do it. He is not known to be a great campaigner.. Johor politicians like Ghani rely on network and resources – that is why all of them are tainted.
The issue then really is that lots of resources will be poured to win this for UMNO/BN.. You can be sure Mahathir, Najib, Muhiyiddin, Ibrahim Ali, Hasan Ali, Zukilifee Nordin, Ezam, etc. etc will all be in Gelang Patah during this GE. PR need to be smart about allocating resources to win this as they can’t match them,
#4 by yhsiew on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 8:59 am
Kit’s proposal of making Johor Bahru a safe, low-crime capital will increase his chances of being elected, as this is what Johoreans want and what BN could not do.
#5 by chengho on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:23 am
66 vs 72 , Ghani only need 35 % chinese vote which is confirmed already. Some people in Dapters especially younger generation already planning life without Kit.
#6 by assamlaksa on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 3:12 pm
chengho must be dreaming, with Ghani as MB of Johor, JB became well known for its high crime rate, it is high time to “kick” him off
#7 by bruno on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:28 am
The ruling regime is looking for a safe seat for it’s next MB if it retains Johor state.Always looking for safe seats for its leaders.What a joke.Maybe Umno thinks that most of its leaders do not wear pants.A sure sign of a Kit Siang thrashing Ghani,as he is the sacrificial lamb.
#8 by yhsiew on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:29 am
Ghani in Gelang Patah shows UMNO fears Kit Siang.
#9 by bruno on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:34 am
While the DAP go do battle at Umno’s stronghold state,Johor,Umno looks for safe seats for it’s leaders in their own stronghold state,Johor. What more to say for these chickens,except that they will kept on laying duck’s eggs.
#10 by bruno on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:39 am
When somebody comes to do battle at your front doorsteps,you do not run away.To do so will be branded a coward in your remaining lifetime.
#11 by boh-liao on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:40 am
In politics, ANYTHING goes, esp when BRIBE $$$$ being distributed generously – $$$$$ talks!
Lots of news now, esp NEGATIVE news abt PR/DAP/PKR/PAS in msm, DAP/PKR/PAS fighting each other n not agreeing 2 number of candidates, NOT sure true or not
Well, if DAP/PKR/PAS cannot cooperate sincerely n each has hidden agenda, they deserve 2 LOSE n dis nation deserves 2 continue 2 ROT
#12 by HJ Angus on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:45 am
no seat is “safe” as BN has allowed JB to become crime-infested.
Now it is time for a major BERSIH!
#13 by bruno on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:46 am
Ghani is a sacrificial lamb,and therefore is no match for Kit Siang.Muhyyidin would be a better match for Kit Siang.But in Umno it’s leaders are always looking for safe seats.Maybe Muhyyidin will be standing in a safe seat where the opposing candidate will be asked to take a hike.
#14 by bruno on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:52 am
If Umo leaders are only looking for safe seats ,then what will happen to the candidates of Mca and Mic.Send them as sacrificial lambs to the unsafe seats.Hahaha.
#15 by Bunch of Suckers on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 9:58 am
Huge of $$$ will be poured in to bribe to win… Finally, they found the sources: heaps of tax payers’ monies!!!
Who were the sponsors of Penany Psy, Korean Horse Riding, show??? Anyone knew about it?
When PR win, we will know!!!! More likely was spending on Tax Payers’ money!!!
#16 by omeqiu on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 10:33 am
With the advanced voters, postal voters and “other” voters, LKS is toast! Goodbye!
#17 by Dap man on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 11:18 am
I am not being racist. Just being realistic. Gelang Patah is a Chinese majority seat. Why would a Malay leader contest in this MCA’s seat? It means UMNO thinks it can get more Chinese votes than would MCA.
But my question is, would Chinese deny his/her vote for Kit who has been championing their rights for more than 40 years.
It will be a curse for the Gelang Patah Chinese if their vote for BN resulting in Kit’s waterloo. A curse for future generations.
No, I doubt the Chinese there will desert Kit.
#18 by cseng on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 12:21 pm
If Umno so worried about LKS, just get Rosmah in Gelang Patah.
There will be no loser in Gelang Patah election, the ONLY loser is CSL and MCA, that had been confirmed.
#19 by kg on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 1:16 pm
Bijan is trying to kill 2 birds with 1 shoot, Gunny + Musidin. With this, Musidin must pull out his people from Pekan (arranged to damage Bijan) to defend his BumNo Johore base, which is his key power to become the next PM. It would be a different scenario if Bijan leave it for MSeeEh to contest GPatah, but now it will be viewed as an BumNo Johore task. If Kit win, Musidin will be killed 2gether with Gunny.
But Bijan is still not safe in Pekan, will he move to PJaya?
#20 by sheriff singh on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 2:53 pm
If Ghani loses, so what ? What has he lost ? He is already out anyway.
If he wins, then he would have claimed a valuable ‘head’ and he will become an instant hero and maybe become a Minister as a reward.
All the loss and reward are on your shoulders. Don’t count on the massive 80% Chinese support. The Chinese are very practical people and they know how to balance their interests very, very carefully. Don’t count your chickens yet as they may have the H1N9 virus.
How many % of the Malays do you expect to support you ? How have you courted them ? How do they perceive you ? They will decide your fate this time around.
#21 by sheriff singh on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 2:55 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
If Ghani loses, so what ? What has he lost ? He is already out anyway.
If he wins, then he would have claimed a valuable ‘head’ and he will become an instant hero and maybe become a Minister as a reward.
All the loss and reward are on your shoulders. Don’t count on the ma.sive 80% Chinese support. The Chinese are very practical people and they know how to balance their interests very, very carefully. Don’t count your chickens yet as they may have the H1N9 virus.
How many % of the Malays do you expect to support you ? How have you courted them ? How do they perceive you ? They will decide your fate this time around.
#22 by sheriff singh on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 4:29 pm
BERNAMA reports:
”But with the irremovable stigma that Kit Siang and DAP are “anti-Malays” and “anti-Islam”, it is a big question mark whether the Malay voters in the constituency will accept or welcome the veteran DAP politician.”
#23 by kg on Monday, 15 April 2013 - 8:31 pm
Dont believe in Bernana, it’s biased towards BeEnd. Kit has DAP, PKR & PAS behind him, and we people who want better future are all behind KIT. Go for ceramah by PR and BeEnd, feel the different!