HARDCORE Umno supporters in Dengkil say they do not believe veteran political leaders who have joined forces with Pakatan Harapan will jeopardise Barisan Nasional’s (BN) chances. 

Those met by Malaysia Decides said BN might sway slightly but any impact would not be detrimental to the coalition.

“It’s not that their decision (to join PH) won’t have any effect. It will definitely affect the votes, but it won’t be by much,” said resident Aziz Osman.

“Pakatan’s promise to abolish the goods and services tax may swing some votes their way but I believe BN will still remain in power,” said the 39-year-old street-food vendor. 

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz were sacked from Umno for supporting PH on its campaign trail across the country while former minister and Umno veteran Rais Yatim is being investigated by the party.

In the 2013 general election, the Dengkil state seat was the only seat in Sepang won by a BN candidate, Shahrum Mohd Sharif. The other two seats in the Sepang constituency, Tanjong Sepat and Sungai Pelek, were won by PAS and DAP, respectively.

Amanah’s Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, who was with PAS in GE13, defeated BN’s Mohd Zin Mohamed and two independent candidates, Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali and Hanapiah Mohamad, with 36,800 votes while the rest received 35,658 votes, 962 votes and 315 votes, respectively.  

Another vendor, Sulaiman Jiragar, 63, said BN would likely wrest Sepang back from the opposition despite the move made by the former Umno veterans. 

“BN is the stronger coalition of the two and they have done so much for the people. Those who left Umno, whatever they say will not have any impact.

Another Dengkil resident, Nasir, 50, said he disagreed with Rafidah’s comparison of the country to a large house that was infested and falling apart due to caretaker prime minister Najib Razak’s negligence.

“There is no problem, especially here in Dengkil. BN will win the seat (Sepang) back because I rarely see the PH candidate campaigning around here,” he said.

A three-cornered fight is set for Sepang between BN’s Marsum Paing, PAS’ Sabirin Marsono and its incumbent, Hanipa. – May 7, 2018.