FOR someone who had just made history as the first Orang Asli parliamentary candidate, Barisan Nasional’s Ramli Mohd Noor was awkwardly quiet.

He let acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan do all the talking at the press conference held after his Cameron Highlands by-election nomination was accepted this morning in Tanah Rata.

Pressed for a comment on his candidacy, Ramli’s only response was “Saya sokong BN (I support BN)”.

A BN supporter at the press conference said Ramli did not have anything to say.

“The candidate cannot comment,” the person said. 

Mohamad said Ramli was the perfect candidate for BN as he was “easy to introduce” to voters in the Pahang seat. 

“Ramli is also from here and we hope to get the support of the Orang Asli.”

“If he wins, he will be the first Semai Orang Asli in parliament.

He said it was also the “first time that BN is giving its trust to an Orang Asli candidate to stand. 

Mohamad, who is also acting BN chairman, said their campaign would focus on convincing voters that Ramli, a local boy and retired top-ranking police officer, was the best candidate.

“This is traditionally a BN seat so we must protect it. We must work extra hard to ensure our candidate wins.”

Mohamad also addressed the withdrawal of MyPPP president M Kayveas as a by-election candidate.

“First he says he is contesting, then he is not and will support Pakatan Harapan. 

“It is up to Kayveas, it is his right. This is why the BN machinery will have to work hard to safeguard this seat.”

With Kayveas’ withdrawal, the Cameron Highlands by-election on January 26 will be a four-cornered fight between Ramli, Pakatan Harapan’s M. Manogaran, and independents Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee. – January 12, 2019.