UMNO will likely use the Sungai Kandis by-election as testing ground to bring up racial and religious issues post-GE14, almost three months after Pakatan Harapan has formed the federal government, say political observers.

For starters, Umno is fielding firebrand Lokman Adam as the Barisan Nasional candidate in Sungai Kandis, a seat that is the result of redrawn electoral boundaries and which was previously called Seri Andalas.

Amanah Kota Raja election manager Norhalim Sirome said the redelineation before GE14 had turned Sungai Kandis into a Malay-majority seat (70%) because BN thought that would be to its advantage in the elections.

“We were initially worried about this seat in May. But somehow, the Malay voters also felt the need to reject BN.”

In the May 9 election, PKR’s Shuhaimie Shafiei polled 23,998 votes to win with a majority of 12,480 votes. BN’s Kamaruzzaman received 11,518 votes while PAS Mohd Yusof Abdullah had 7,573 votes. PSM’s Hanafiah Husin mustered only 76 votes out of the 50,800.

The seat fell vacant upon Shuhaimie’s death on July 2.

With the new Pakatan Harapan federal government under scrutiny, Norhalim expects more racial and religious rhetoric from the opposition in the by-election.

Lokman is one of Umno’s popular speakers who frequently attacks Pakatan Harapan.

Of late, he has emerged as the defender of  former prime minister and former Umno president Najib Razak, who faces charges of corruption in connection with the multi-billion dollar 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal.

Lokman has formed a new group called Pemantau Malaysia Baru (Pemantau), which he said was to keep a check on the new government.

Norhalim, who anticipates attacks on PH, said the campaign would employ the PH formula of featuring the leaders of component parties, and focus on PKR’s achievements in Selangor.

“Instead of race and religion, we hope to counter with racial harmony,” said Norhalim.

Without PAS and with a radical candidate such as Lokman in the fray, the Sungai Kandis campaign  would see more heated issues, said Ilham Centre director Hisomuddin Bakar.

“I don’t think an ultra like Lokman will do well here. But one thing to look out for will be whether the regular PAS supporters will back Barisan Nasional, as their party has decided not to contest in this by-election,” said the pollster.

“If PAS supporters throw their support behind Lokman, it would narrow the margin. But it’s still some distance from what Shuhaimie received last election,” said Hisomuddin.

PKR has named as its candidate Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, whom Norhalim described as gentle and respected for his religious credentials, the apparent opposite of Lokman.

“Zawawi is a really good candidate for this seat. He’s from Jalan Kebun and he’s part Javanese. That whole area covering Jalan Kebun and Kg Jawa are all his friends and family,” said Norhalim, who had campaigned with Shuhaimie in three elections.

“Besides being the local imam, Zawawi also has a tahfiz school and teaches there. That’s a huge advantage moving ahead.” – July 21, 2018.