Tg Piai Candidacy Just A Matter Of Strategy

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WHY bicker over who's gonna be BN's candidate for parliamentary by-election in Tanjung Piai? As the Opposition, Barisan Nasional is free to nominate it from Umno, MCA or MIC. Even Parti Cinta Malaysia, Pas and other friendly parties qualify to field their candidate.

Zahid Hamidi as the BN chairman has been the subject of criticism over the past few days for 'dragging' on naming the candidate, when Pakatan Harapan has done it on Monday. MCA president Wee Ka Siong too came under target.

It is normal for BN to take into account some views on the matter. In the past, some by-elections saw BN naming candidates at least two days before nomination. Some were done a week before.

Whether Umno or MCA candidate, the main asset for BN is the show of unity and solid collaboration among them, particularly party workers and top leadership. This will be an essence for Tanjung Piai. The question of who 'owns' the constituency shouldn't arise because for both parties, whoever nominated represents the coalition.

Whether is gonna be Umno or MCA, both have equal chances of winning and losing. A victory will strengthen BN's representation in Johor and the Parliament but it will not be enough to change the state and Federal governments. It will only be calculated a moral booster for BN in preparing for the next general election.

A defeat too will not denote any big bearing but would be an 'opening disaster' for Muafakat Nasional, formed after the 914 Penyatuan Ummah. In other words, BN must win Tanjung Piai, by hook or by crook.

A last minute announcement over candidacy is also good for BN's strategy. Since PH has nominate a candidate who used to lose to Ahmad Maslan in Pontian constituency, any calculation and re-calculation must look into any possibility of fielding a candidate at par, if not better than him.

Don't work on contemplation that MCA might still field its own candidate should BN chose Umno. MCA should abide by a uniformed decision by BN. Ka Siong understands that MCA candidate has lost the seat in GE14 and it is not wrong for Umno to take over. On the other hand, Umno too should explore and recognise the fact that MCA has equal chance.

However, 'the voice of voters' must be recognised. The quest for an Umno candidate is louder in Tanjung Piai now unless the Malay party is of the opinion that MCA holds a better chance. But again, the Muafakat Nasional is most important now. In the Malay-dominated constituency, I think MCA should let Umno.

So, why blame Zahid, Ka Siong and others for dragging at the decision? Isn't it a big blow should Muafakat Nasional fails to get unanimous support in Tanjung Piai? As for Pas, leaving it to BN is commendable as the party can also be the deciding element for the Nov 16 polling day.

In this case, let BN listen to the louder voice of Tanjung Piai voters.

Once the announcement is made, let's observe if party workers form the pillar of victory. Umno, MCA, MIC, Pas and others should form a formidable force for Muafakat Nasional. If they manage to wrest the seat from Pakatan Harapan, then the door to Putrajaya is wide open for them in the next general election.

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