Mixed feelings over Tok Mat’s candidacy in Rembau, some say KJ should not be ‘sacrificed’
REMBAU - It is a fifty-fifty for the voters in Rembau over BN deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, or known as Tok Mat, contesting for the Rembau seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Bersatu Kampung Rendah branch secretary Mohd Hidzir Othman stated that there were mixed feelings for the voters in Rembau now that Tok Mat might be taking over caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin’s position as the Rembau incumbent MP.
Khairy had been announced to contest in the seven-cornered fight for Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat in the GE15.
Hidzir said some voters in the area were happy with Tok Mat’s candidacy, however Khairy’s supporters felt that he should not be ‘sacrificed’.
“The people of Rembau, especially the members of Umno and BN, have mixed feelings about Tok Mat contesting for the Rembau seat.
“Tok Mat has a strong base here, so those who support him are happy for his candidacy and will try their best to ensure his win in GE15, however, do not forget that KJ (Khairy) had been here for three terms, so he also has his supporters and grassroots support,” he told Sinar Daily today.
He is of the view that Khairy was a charismatic young leader with the potential to become the next prime minister, hence why he should not be ‘sacrificed’ just for Tok Mat to contest in Rembau.
He said Tok Mat, also the former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, could contest in other areas and Khairy should have stayed as the candidate for Rembau seat.
However, he said the voters in Rembau will give him their votes as long as he is not arrogant and full of empty promises.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Azrai Aiman, 30, said a lot of people in Rembau knew Tok Mat and his reputation as the former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar.
“He is the former Negeri Sembilan MB and from what I can see, the state has flourished under him.
“Also, since the change of government, the people here can see that he has plans to develop the area so he is the best candidate for the Rembau seat,” he said.
Mohd Faisal Abu Zahar agreed with the sentiment and said that there was no problem for the people of Rembau that Tok Mat had become the candidate for the parliamentary seat.
He added that this was especially true for the voters who would vote for the party instead of the candidates.
“To me, they are like siblings switching places, so there are no problems for us.
“I don’t think there will be problems or disagreement over this, especially for Rembau voters who look at the party and not candidates when they vote,” he said.
In GE15, residents of Rembau would have five candidates to choose from as their representative.
Aside from Tok Mat, the other candidates for the constituency are S. Tinagaran (Parti Sosialis Malaysia), Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus (Perikatan Nasional), Ramly Awaluddin (Gerakan Tanah Air) and Jufitri Joha (Pakatan Harapan).
