MAY 10 ― I’m a BN supporter who had been watching by-elections since 2013 GE.

The by-election in Teluk Intan is maybe the most important by-election for Barisan Nasional since 2013 GE.

It’s likely MCA won’t contest in Bukit Gelugor because they don’t want to affect Teluk Intan.

BN will now focus just in Teluk Intan. So, question now is who will represent Gerakan in Teluk Intan?

Gerakan President Datuk Mah Siew Keong already self-announced he is interested to contest Teluk Intan if BN chairman Najib Razak agree.

Based on past result, the Gerakan President already lost 2 times in general election at Teluk Intan. The last election, he lost by around 7,300 votes.

So, why is Gerakan still want to Mah Siew Keong as their candidates since the people in Teluk Intan already rejected him twice?

The answer is simple. He’s the president of Gerakan and he wants to have a chance to re-contest and be in the Cabinet. Maybe 3rd time lucky?

But is this good for Barisan Nasional?

Realistically, Barisan Nasional stand a chance to reduce the majority or even win at Teluk Intan. The problem is that the candidate Gerakan want is a person who had been rejected by Teluk Intan. The message in the last 2 election is very clear. You can’t force Teluk Intan voters to accept someone they already rejected twice.

After the last General Election, the Gerakan President already declare he won’t contest in Teluk Intan in future after people rejected him with a big majority for DAP. He has now turn his words after offering himself as candidate for this by-election.

As for now, BN Chairman Najib Razak will have a problem in choosing a candidate because the Gerakan President already said he want to contest. It’s a very difficult decision for Najib. If by logic, you don’t field a loser, especially a person who lost in last 2 election at the same place. Is Gerakan really lack of candidates?

In the interest of Barisan Nasional, BN Chairman Najib must make a decision to make sure BN stand the best chance in Teluk Intan. If Gerakan can’t offer any winnable candidate, then it’s best to look for candidates from other BN components. Gerakan should move aside if they have any winnable candidate. Don’t gamble away the interest of BN.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.