Berjasa's Nilai showing sparks talk of GE16 vote-splitting strategy
A Malaysiakini commentary argues the 5,844 votes won by Berjasa's candidate in Nilai show local figures can split votes that would otherwise go to BN-PN.
The performance of Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) candidate Ustaz Zamani Ibrahim in the N10 Nilai seat at the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election has become the basis of a commentary proposing a new strategy for Pakatan Harapan (PH) ahead of the 16th general election (GE16).
In the piece written by Rosli Allani Abdul Kadir and published by Malaysiakini, the writer said Zamani's presence in the five-cornered fight drew attention because his vote tally was "quite high and significant".
According to official Election Commission (EC) results, three-term incumbent J Arul Kumar (PH-DAP) retained the seat with 15,797 votes and a majority of 5,937. Lai Chien Kong (BN-MCA) polled 9,860 votes, Zamani Ibrahim (Berjasa) 5,844, Datuk V Saravana Kumar (PN-Bersatu Bersekutu) 718 and Omar Mohd Isa (Independent-Key) 167.
In the 2023 state polls, Arul Kumar secured 19,133 votes, meaning his tally fell by 3,136 this time — a drop the writer described as not particularly large. He noted that the combined votes of BN-MCA and Berjasa alone came within 93 votes of Arul Kumar's total.
Zamani, who hails from Rembau, has been Berjasa president since 27 March 2021 and previously chaired the Seremban branch of Pertubuhan Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) from 2011 to 2016. He contested GE15 on a Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) ticket, losing and forfeiting his deposit.
The Nilai state seat has 45,911 registered voters, estimated at 43.3 to 47 per cent Malay, 31 to 31.9 per cent Chinese and 21 to 21.6 per cent Indian — meaning most voters are non-Malay.
The writer argued that a local figure accepted by the community can split votes BN-PN would otherwise expect, and suggested PH build up such figures while also reconciling members estranged after last year's party polls.
He added that the coming Melaka state election would serve as an indicator of the real contest ahead of GE16. Malaysiakini said the views expressed do not necessarily reflect its stand.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.