GEORGE TOWN: Many would not count on their chances when facing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in his own backyard – the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.
But not Mazlan Ismail, the 56-year-old Barisan Nasional candidate from Umno, who holds a doctorate in philosophy.
“I’m upbeat about my chances,” he told FMT here today.
His confidence stems from the unprecedented solidarity shown by the division Umno leaders rallying for his victory.
Previously due to intense in-fighting and back biting, Permatang Pauh Umno was always seen as a disunited and dispirited unit.
But now they seem more united than ever and raring to launch a real go at Anwar and company.
Permatang Pauh Umno has about 17,000 members from 95 branches.
“All in Umno Permatang Pauh are supporting me against Anwar. That’s very important for my campaign,” said Mazlan.
He looks friendly and relaxed despite facing the daunting task of dislodging the Permatang Pauh ‘tribal king’ Anwar.
Married with seven children, Mazlan was the former PAS state youth chief and election director in 1999 and 2004 general elections.
A former corporate man, Mazlan is a true-blue son of Permatang Pauh, which Umno believes would be crucial factor to woo middle-ground Malay votes.
Another plus point is that Mazlan does not have the aura of the “Umno-putra” personality.
“His PAS links can draw votes too,” said a local party worker.
As of December 2012, Permatang Pauh has 71,808 registered voters, comprising 50,434 Malays (70.23%), 16,571 Chinese (23.08%), 4,499 Indians (6.27%) and 304 others (0.42%).
GE contest first for Anwar since 1995
Permatang Pauh has three state constituencies – Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pasir and Penanti.
Seberang Jaya has 29,998 registered voters comprising 19,348 Malays (64.5%), 6,752 Chinese (22.51%) and 3,738 Indians (12.46%); Permatang Pasir has 22,940 voters of 16,842 Malays (73.42%), 5,691 Chinese (24.81%) and 368 Indians (1.6%); and Penanti has 18,870 voters with 14,244 Malay (75.48%), 4,128 Chinese (21.88%) and 393 Indians (2.08%).
BN has fielded Permatang Pauh Umno division deputy chairman Mohammad Nasir Abdullah for Seberang Jaya, Anuar Faisal Yahaya for Permatang Pasir and Ibrahim Ahmad for Penanti.
Anwar won Permatang Pauh in his electoral debut in 1982 general election and held the seat until he was sacked from the government and Umno in 1998.
While he was languishing in jail, his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail won the seat in the 1999, 2004 and 2008 general elections.
Following Wan Azizah’s resignation as MP in July 2008, Anwar defeated Umno’s Arif Shah Omar Shah in the by-election in August, 2008 with a thumping majority of 15,671 votes to mark his return as a parliamentarian.
The 13th general election would mark the first time Anwar would contest in a general election since 1995.
Although they are driving on Mazlan to score an upset win over the Pakatan Rakyat’s premier-designate, realistically Umno leaders aim to reduce Anwar’s majority to below 5,000 votes.
BN election workers also believe the majority of Indians would vote for Mazlan against Anwar this time. “MIC is really working hard to get the Indian votes,” said Umno stalwart.
Although BN, especially Umno leaders know they have a tough time ahead, they believe nothing is impossible.
“After all one week is a long in politics. We have 15 campaign days,” they said, hoping for a déjà vu based on results of the last three general elections in Permatang Pauh.
After winning with 9,077-vote majority in 1999, Wan Azizah won with a skimpy majority of only 590 votes in the 2004 before scoring a 13,338-margin victory in 2008.
BN leaders believe if they can woo majority of Indian voters, split the Malay votes, and take a significant portion of ethnic Chinese votes, the unthinkable could happen.
“Mazlan could just score an upset in the election.”
