A WIN in the Cameron Highlands by-election could be the start of Barisan Nasional’s rise from the ashes following the coalition’s defeat at the 14th general election last year, said former prime minister Najib Razak.

Najib also said MIC’s decision to give up the parliamentary seat to Umno is proof that BN is breaking from past tradition.

BN is fielding Orang Asli Ramli Mohd Nor, 61, this by-election. The former senior police officer is expected to snare the Orang Asli and Malay votes.

“We are thankful to MIC’s spirit of give and take because they saw a local candidate from the area as a valuable asset. This (Ramli) is a highly educated Orang Asli,” the former Umno president and BN chairman said on the campaign trail today. 

“This is the by-election that could spark the revival of BN.”

The Cameron Highlands by-election takes place next Saturday following the election court’s nullification of BN’s MIC candidate C. Sivarraajh’s victory at GE14 on account of corruption. 

The Election Commission subsequently ruled that by virtue of the court’s decision, he is also disqualified from contesting in the by-election.

Prior to this, four by-elections have been held since GE14. These were for the state seats of Sg Kandis, Balakong, Seri Setia and the parliamentary seat of Port Dickson. All four were won by Pakatan Harapan  in GE14 and successfully defended in the by-elections.

PH’s M. Manogaran from DAP, independents Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee are the other candidates in Cameron Highlands.

Najib said the choice of Ramli as the BN candidate is history-making.

“We had an Orang Asli senator before but it has been a while for us to find another who is qualified to sit in the Dewan Rakyat and be the voice of the Orang Asli.

“So, don’t waste this opportunity. This us one person who truly represents you,” Najib said, adding that the DAP does not understand the aspirations of the Orang Asli. – January 18, 2019.