JERAI, May 7 — The battle for the Jerai parliamentary constituency will see two cousins representing different sides of the same coin facing each other, although at a glance one can never tell they are related due to the vast difference in their personalities.
Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom comes across as a stern and firm man, perhaps due to his no-nonsense military background.
His second cousin and challenger from PAS Sabri Azit on the other hand is a soft spoken, warm and extremely affable — key qualities in someone whose first calling is that of a religious teacher.
Jamil Khir’s economic plan
In an interview with the Malay Mail Jamil Khir said he has been doing his best to ensure the youths within his constituency have not been left jobless, and also has aspirations of turning the area into a tourist destination.
“Unemployed graduates is not such a serious condition here. Many don’t realise there are industrial areas in Jerai such as Naza Motors, Modenas, a Kris motorcycle factor ensuring the youths here have jobs.
“In Yan, there is a Pusat Giat MARA which trains youths interested in owning their own small time business. I’ve noticed that there’s a strong demand for tailors here. Even now I hear that the local tailors still cannot meet the demand for raya clothes,” said Jamil Khir.
Working on that economic platform, Jamil Khir also has aspirations to turn the constituency’s namesake Gunung Jerai into an international tourist destination — banking on the beauty of the paddy fields and nearby beach surrounding the 1,217 metre mountain.
The caretaker minister in Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs said that “certain multinational corporations” have showed interest and proposed to install a cable car system on Gunung Jerai, akin to Gunung Mat Cincang in Langkawi.
“It is already a popular destination for people who want to parachute off the mountain. They get a view of the paddy fields and the sea. These tourists create good economic and job opportunities for the people surrounding Gunung Jerai.
“We have also received a proposal by a few multinationals to build a cable car like the one in Gunung Mat Cincang in Langkawi. The cable car will start from Gunung Jerai and it might end somewhere in either Gurun, Kepala Bukit or Teroi.
“Tourists can enjoy the beauty of the paddy fields, the sea and the mountain,” the retired soldier said.
Sabri’s personal touch
Jamil Khir’s second cousin, whom he never mentioned throughout the interview may not have a concrete economic plan in mind, but his humble nature coupled with being a local lad will definitely charm the rural voters — he is exactly the type to win their hearts and votes.
Sabri, who tendered his 24 hour resignation letter as an ustaz (Islamic religious teacher) at SMK Muazzam Shah told the Malay Mail that he is related to Jamil Khir through his father and the latter’s father.
“Haji Baharom used to be the bilal at that mosque for more than 20 years,” said Sabri pointing to the mosque outside his house.
“The political situation here isn’t like Kelantan or Terengganu. Over here it’s family first and politics second. In fact, I live in the middle of an Umno stronghold but they still allow me to give khutbah Jumaat and during Hari Raya at that same mosque.”
Despite being a fresh face candidate, Sabri said he is confident of taking the seat based on the strength of PAS’ election machinery, the rising cost of living and economic situation, the split between Umno and PPBM as well as how he can relate to the common folk of Jerai.
He also believe his experience as a teacher for the past 20 years will give him an edge over Jamil Khir’s more obvious economic policies.
“My students have promised me their votes. They are organising a reunion to help me campaign. And I am also very confident of our party’s election machinery to help me win. Every time I have doubts, I tell myself that I come from a very strong party,” said the very affable Sabri.
The Jerai PAS deputy division chief also finds the lack of non-Malay support to be an advantage for him as he sees Umno losing out on those votes as well.
In Jerai’s three-cornered fight, he believes the non-Malay minority will cast their ballots for Pakatan Harapan candidate Akramsyah Sanusi — the son of the late Tan Sri Sanusi Junid who was a Mentri Besar and also Agriculture Minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet.
“This benefits PAS. We only need to win the Malay votes here and we are confident of that. BN will lose out when they don’t have the non-Malays while Pakatan Harapan cannot obtain enough Malay votes,” observed Sabri.
In total, the federal seat contains 79,976 voters with the Malays making up 80.19 per cent, the Chinese 13.57 per cent and Indians 5.91 per cent.
