IF a by-election were to be called now for another rural seat, Pakatan Harapan (PH) would lose for the same reasons it did in Tg Piai, Johor.

In interviews with voters in Baling, Kedah, a Malay-majority parliamentary constituency dependent on agriculture, voters expressed the same frustrations with the federal government as their counterparts did in Tg Piai.

In Tg Piai, the low price of oil palm was a sore point with Malay and Chinese voters. Low-income families and fishermen were feeling the pinch from the cuts in welfare aid.

The same complaints were echoed In Baling, except that the offending low prices were for rubber and latex.

Voters here spoke fondly of Umno and their MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. The man and his party remained popular despite their being implicated in corruption cases. Azeez is under investigation for the massive losses Tabung Haji suffered on his watch, while Umno has had its bank accounts frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission seeking to recover funds allegedly stolen from 1MDB.

Taxi driver Bahadzir Bidin said the low prices of commodities had a knock-on effect on the local economy.

“During Barisan Nasional rule, there was more cash aid for the people. They had BR1M payments as well as monsoon aid for the farmers,” he said.

“The villagers had extra money to spend and as a result, we taxi drivers also had spending money.

“But now rubber prices have come down and the people seldom come to town… and taxi drivers are suffering as we do not get passengers.”

The 49-year-old Bahadzri said his daily income was reduced to less than RM50 from the RM100 he used to earn.

The floor price of scrap rubber is about RM2.30 per kg. It was RM8.50 per kg in 2012.

Anger at PH, especially from Chinese voters, in Tg Piai caused the ruling coalition to lose the parliamentary seat by more than 15,000 votes, one of the largest defeats ever experienced by a ruling coalition in a by-election.

In the aftermath, PH leaders said it was time for the government to start fulfilling its election promises if it wished to hold on to power.

‘Umno still strong’

Baling resident Fikri Isha said Umno remained strong in the constituency, adding PH would find it difficult to win the seat if an election were held today.

Fikri, 26, said the young voters here had grown disillusioned with PH, which had failed to bring down the cost of living, abolish toll and writing off the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.

“The PH government is giving excuses for not delivering its promises. PH can only make promises, it cannot keep them,” he said.

Baling is the second biggest district in Kedah. Its main economic activity is the production of rubber.

According to the Election Commission’s latest data, Baling has 105,467 voters, 89% of which are Malay. The Chinese and Indians make up a scant 4% and 5%, respectively.

It is traditionally an Umno seat save for three terms following the 1978, 1999 and 2008 elections when PAS won the constituency.

In the last general election, Azeez retained the seat, defeating PAS’ Hassan Saad by 1,074 votes. The third candidate was PH’s Mohd Taufik Yaacob.

The three state seats under Baling are Bayu, Kupang and Kuala Ketil – all represented by PAS.

Azeez is well-liked by his constituents, who said he was helpful and took care of their needs. It did not appear to bother them that he was due to stand trial for corruption and money-laundering.

Syafiq Yaakub, 33, said it would be difficult for PH to compete with Azeez for Baling.

“He has given us so much of assistance and aid, such as free school bus and ambulance services.

“Baling folk remember his contributions,” he said.

Azeez and his brother, Abdul Latif have been charged with corruption linked to road projects worth RM5.2 million in Perak and Kedah, and laundering a total RM144.6 million.

“Azeez is still active here and he regularly visits. Although he is in the opposition bloc now, he still has the support of the people here,” said businessman Fahmi Daud, 46. – November 24, 2019.