IPOH, April 9 — There are many similarities between the battleground Perak state seats of Manjoi and Lubok Merbau — despite the fact that they are 40km apart.

Both are marginal Malay-majority seats; both were narrowly won by BN with a razor-thin margin after a close battle with PAS; and both will probably see a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional, PAS, and Pakatan Harapan’s Amanah.

And for both sets of voters, regardless of whether they work in an air-conditioned office, own a restaurant, or plough the rubber estates — it is still the economy that matters most to them.

Ahead of the ‘mother of all elections’, the people in these marginal seats are looking for candidates who can increase economic opportunities and help them put more food on the table.

This, more than anything else, could be the factor that makes all the difference in these razor-thin battles.

Malay-majority constituencies

Manjoi is a Malay-majority constituency located in the middle of Ipoh. It includes areas like Klebang and Meru Raya, which have seen extensive development over recent years, and job opportunities in these areas have significantly increased.

The constituency is also home to Gugusan Manjoi — a cluster of six Malay villages located in the middle of Ipoh. It is the state’s largest Malay village cluster located in an urban city, and is home to around 50,000 people.

Unlike the sparkling new buildings in Meru, Gugusan Manjoi retains a traditional atmosphere; the roads are narrow, the houses sit close together, and the community is close-knit.

The seat has seen razor-thin contests between BN and PAS over the past two elections.

BN eked out a narrow 348-vote victory in 2008, while the incumbent assemblyman Mohd Ziad Mohd Zainal beat PAS candidate Asmuni Awi by a razor-thin 132 vote margin five years later.

Similarly in Lubok Merbau, around 12 km away from Kuala Kangsar, was home to Perak’s tightest election race in the 2013 polls.

Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Siti Salmah Mat Jusak squeezed the narrowest of wins to unseat then-incumbent PAS candidate Mohd Zainudin Mohd Yusof by only 53 votes.

Lubuk Merbau is one of two state seats under Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s Padang Rengas parliamentary constituency — the other being Chenderoh, also a BN seat.

The economy is mainly based on agricultural activities like rubber, palm oil and paddy.

Malay voters make up around 70 per cent of the voting population in both seats, and they could very well make the difference in the elections.

Many believe that voters who previously plumped for PAS could now be torn between the Islamist party and its offshoot Amanah — handing an advantage to BN.

What happens during the potential three corner fights in Manjoi and Lubok Merbau could be an indicator of what happens in Malay-majority areas nationwide.

Money on their mind

To win the people over, candidates in both seats will have to convince them that they will be best person to bring jobs, economic opportunity, and development.

Like many other Malaysians, wallets of local residents have been hit by the rising cost of living.

Many in Manjoi are employed as civil servants, while others make a living by setting up small businesses or stalls hawking food, drinks, or fruits and vegetables. — Picture by Farhan Najib

Five years ago, a packet of nasi lemak in Gugusan Manjoi only cost RM 0.50, but now costs RM 1.20, while chicken rice can cost between RM 4.50 to RM 5.

It is the same in Lubok Merbau — traders claim that the budget they used for groceries simply isn’t enough anymore.

"If I used to set aside RM 100 for my supplies, it would have been enough a few years ago. Now it’s different,” said a stall operator who only wished to be known as Liow.

"I don’t blame the government at all, but I’d like the candidates to help us increase our revenue so we can afford more.”

Young professionals like Mohd Hanafis Abd Haris, now employed in Kuala Lumpur, prefer to work outside Manjoi for better standards of living.

"Jobs are slightly limited in the Manjoi villages. You do have Mydin, which provides jobs for a lot of people but many of the youngsters my age work in Kuala Lumpur,” said the 29-year-old private sector worker.

A Gugusan Manjoi drinks trader, who only wanted to be known as ‘Dollah’ wants simple improvements like better roads and strategic trading areas nearby the Manjoi Mydin hypermarket.

"A lot of people from Manjoi and neighbouring areas like Silibin, Lim Garden, and First Garden come here to shop,” he explained.

"If the authorities set up some lighted designated areas where we can set up our stalls at night, we can attract a dinner crowd. This place will be merry and jolly.”

Zaidi Ramli, who is deputy chairman of local NGO Gugusan Manjoi Integration Association, says the key to winning Manjoi will lie in providing economic opportunities to its residents.

"Many people here buy and sell goods to make a living but they don’t know how to expand the business further. They want to go to the next level but they don’t know how.

"The opportunity they seek comes through knowledge. Traders and small business owners will appreciate education programmes showing them how to build their business,” said the 47-year-old, who has spent his entire life in Manjoi.

Positive development

While the people want a better economic outlook, it would be untrue to say there has been no development in both areas under BN.

In Manjoi, supporters of the ruling government will point to plans for a new health clinic and recreation centre — both being built in Gugusan Manjoi — as positives.  

Kampung Labu Kubong village chief Meor Samsudin Abu Hassan (right) and homestay operator Fatimah Dollah. Meor Samsudin believes homestays have boosted the local economy. — Picture by Farhan Najib

And over the past four years, Lubok Merbau has seen over two dozen homestays popping up in the midst of its serene villages, attracting visitors from Australia, Belgium, Britain, and the United States.

The homestays offer a slice of traditional kampung life — planting paddy, tapping rubber, and sitting down for a traditional Malay meal with a local family.

Kampung Labu Kubong village chief Meor Samsudin Abu Hassan said homestay owners receive RM50 per visitor daily, and can easily make RM 200 per weekend.

"The effect on the local economy has been undeniably positive, and the people are happy. Kampung people like us don’t need so much, so a little extra income is enough for the farmers here.”

Who to vote for

While mystery still surrounds the identity of the candidates, especially for BN, there is still a lot of support for the ruling coalition in both areas.  

Some residents, like snack trader Erni Norhayati Suwarji, feel that the Opposition’s split could help BN.

"The PAS-Pakatan split will make a difference. People I know who voted for PAS in the last election are now torn because they don’t know which side to back if there is a three-cornered fight,” she said.

In Manjoi, PAS’ Tambun youth chief Hafez Sabri and state Amanah chief Asmuni Awi are among the names rumoured to be vying for the seat.

Hafez, who did not comment on his potential candidacy, has built up a strong reputation in Manjoi by getting involved in ground-level programmes and building up a local connection.

"PAS have visited over 1,000 homes around Manjoi in the past few years, helping people and generally building up a connection with them,” he told Malay Mail. 

"Our principles remain the same if there is a three-cornered fight.  We want to focus on our own strengths and do our best for the people.”

While refusing to discuss his potential candidacy, Asmuni told Malay Mail that the party did not fear split Malay votes.

Perak Amanah chairman Asmuni Awi speaks to Malay Mail on March 26, 2018. — Picture by Farhan Najib

"It may be a disadvantage. But many Umno supporters have joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) so they have a split of their own,” he said. 

Umno is also cautiously confident of their chances in Lubok Merbau, where the aim will be to retain their seat and increase their majority.

"I think our chances are better now after PAS and Pakatan Harapan have split, as you could see the same thing happening in the Kuala Kangsar by-election,” said Padang Rengas Umno vice-chief Mohd Shuhaimi Zubir.

"We’ve always provided financial aid, fertiliser, and food packets to farmers and rubber tappers who need help. This gives us confidence because we are helping and reaching out to the community.”

Padang Rengas Pakatan Harapan chief Lukman Yahaya admits that the split between PAS and Pakatan Harapan could have an impact on voters, but notes that many locals still want change.

The key for Pakatan, says Lukman, lies in changing the people’s mindset — both in terms of politics and development.

"We are also trying to change the people’s outlook on politics, based on facts and what is happening around them. To develop this area, there must be a change from a traditional farming mindset to one of modern, commercialised farming,” Lukman said.

"I also believe a tertiary education campus in this area would do wonders for the economy — not a full college, but a campus. That would bring in young people and create an economic boom here.”