IF Mustafa Kamal Abdul Rahman is selected as one of PKR’s candidates in the 14th general election, he will be the only one with a background as a metal musician.

His band, Farasu, performs a genre of music frequently associated with extremism and aggression, and being anti-establishment.

However, the drummer and lyricist is adamant about challenging the stereotype that metalheads cannot be “part of the system”.

“This is what I will do to erase the perception that those who are rebellious can’t be part of the system.

“I want to prove that if given the chance, people like us can actually be part of the system and contribute,” the 39-year-old told The Malaysian Insight in a recent interview.

He is tipped to contest in Negri Sembilan’s Labu state seat, which is likely to see a three-cornered fight between PKR, a Barisan Nasional party and PAS.

Labu, which has 17,812 voters, is a Malay-majority seat. Malays comprise 71%, followed by Indians (15%) and Chinese (11%).

Its incumbent is Hasim Rusdi, who is state agriculture exco.

Mustafa said the state seat, located in Seremban district, is rich in art and culture, due to the presence and influence of the Minangkabau community, which hails from West Sumatra, Indonesia.

As a Mambau native, he said, he wants to not just preserve, but revitalise Labu’s cultural heritage, which has been neglected due to the state government’s policies.

“In terms of history, Negri Sembilan is a state with a rich culture, and Labu has potential. But, the policies of the state government do not revitalise the culture. So, the (cultural) image of the state is not reinforced,” said the vice-chief of PKR’s Rasah branch.

He said due to Labu’s close ties with art and culture, constituents would be able to accept a leader with a background in music.

“The special thing about Labu is, the people are ‘flexible’ with music. It’s normal to have band performances at weddings.”

With 10 years’ experience in politics, Mustafa has held several posts, including secretary to the state PKR leadership council and the party’s disciplinary board secretary.

He said his involvement in the party started after de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim visited the state in 2007.

He said he was initially inclined to support PAS, but Anwar’s ceramah inspired him to join PKR.

Mustafa said the fight to capture Negri Sembilan in GE14 will be a tough one for both Pakatan Harapan and BN, and that both coalitions have a 50-50 chance of winning.

He said announcing its menteri besar candidate will give PH an edge in the battle for the state.

“We are confident that PH can secure a landslide majority and defeat BN if the Negri Sembilan PH leadership makes an announcement before Parliament is dissolved,” he said, adding that the opposition’s strong influence in the state has forced the ruling BN to work harder to prove its worth.

“That’s why we have seen many developments carried out by the state government, especially in constituencies that BN lost to the opposition.

“In other words, BN cannot be complacent, and has to work hard to retain the state.”

BN holds 21 out of the 36 state seats in Negri Sembilan. – March 25, 2018.