Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said manifestos may not always be necessary in a by-election, especially for seats which have been won by clear-cut majorities previously.
“But this isn’t the case in Nenggiri, where PN just tipped the scales in the state election last year by about 800 votes. Even in 2018, BN beat the then PAS contender by fewer than 500 votes. So it could turn either way this time around,” he told FMT.
Given the small majorities, Fauzi said a manifesto could help to sway enough voters either way to win the seat, as it demonstrates the candidate’s resolve to take on his responsibilities as an elected representative.
“In my own view, (BN’s decision) is a bad move, as it portrays overconfidence and a certain level of haughtiness that BN-Umno should be desperate to avoid in what promises to be a close race.
“This constituency is around 85% Malay, with the remainder being largely Orang Asli who are traditionally pro-BN,” he said.
Fauzi said that by not putting forward a manifesto, BN-Umno is giving the impression that it is taking the Malay voters lightly.
“(This) will not endear the party to the Malays,” he said.
Fauzi also said BN may not succeed in trying to convince voters to back its candidate simply because the coalition forms part of the federal government. He said some voters in Nenggiri may be looking for a change in Putrajaya.
“Going by (current) trends, you can’t blame the Malays for believing that perhaps PN will go on to win the next general election in two to three years’ time.”
Door-to-door, face-to-face
However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said manifestos no longer hold much sway on voters in general and state elections, let alone in by-elections.
In Nenggiri, he said, BN has opted to go door-to-door to meet constituents and dish out promises face-to-face, which Azmi believes is a good strategy given the diverse makeup of the constituency.
“From the village folk to those residing in the suburban parts of Nenggiri, the needs of the people are very different.
“Also, manifestos have gathered a very negative stigma, with some saying it’s not a ‘bible’, and that there is no need to fulfil (pledges made in them),” he said, referring to a statement made by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018.
Last week, BN’s candidate for Nenggiri, Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, promised a manifesto that would set out an action plan that is practical and can be implemented, rather than one that merely spouts rhetoric.
However, on Monday, Kelantan Umno chief Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said BN will not launch a manifesto for the by-election, claiming it would not attract voters. The coalition will rely on Azmawi’s strength instead, he said.
Azmawi will contest against PN’s Rizwadi Ismail for the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan on Saturday.