DESPITE winning comfortably in the last general election representing Barisan Nasional (BN), incumbent Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin now contests on a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket, and is facing a challenging path to retain the seat in the coming polls.

Contesting for the third time in the parliamentary constituency, which is considered a BN stronghold, her victory in 2018 with a majority of 8,159 votes can no longer be used as a yardstick.

She will be up against Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid (BN), Mutalib Uthman (Pakatan Harapan) and Handrawirawan Abu Bakar (Pejuang) in the four-cornered clash.

Meanwhile, Hakim views all candidates, including Mas Ermieyati, as having the same chances, and believes that the perspective of the people in the constituency has also changed.

He said this was because there was an increase of 33.36% of voters to 69,174 voters in this election, compared with 51,441 in the last general election.

“I also don’t see her defeat in the state elections as an advantage to other candidates, including myself, because each of us has our own strengths,” he said.

Handrawirawan, on the other hand, believes that Mas Ermieyati’s defeat in the November state elections can serve as a yardstick for the people to make a decision in the coming general election, even though he narrowly lost then by only 364 votes.

While Mas Ermieyati’s 10-year record as an MP should be strong enough for her, Handrawirawan said her decision to contest on a different party ticket could have an impact in the polls.

“Indeed, the task of retaining the seat is very difficult even if we face new candidates here (Masjid Tanah). If judged based on individuality, we are also at the same level, and maybe even more considering that I, for example, am heavily involved in civil society group activities,” he said.

In the meantime, Mas Ermieyati, who was once named as chief minister candidate in the Malacca elections, said Masjid Tanah is a BN stronghold, and conceded it would not be easy for her to retain her seat.

However, Mas Ermieyati said voters can assess the extent of her achievements in looking after the Masjid Tanah constituency if she is again given the mandate.

“Some candidates are judged based on their experienced… even gender, but it would be better if we (candidates) are viewed based on the results of the work done, and I am sure all the voters in Masjid Tanah are very mature in making assessments,” said Mas Ermieyati, who has served as Masjid Tanah MP since 2013. – Bernama, November 12, 2022.