Despite MCA's warnings to Tenang's Chinese voters on "the Islamic state agenda of PAS", its president Hadi Abdul Awang isn't perturbed, saying the Islamic party has a "50 percent chance" of striking a win in the BN stronghold.

"That is an old issue. Our society understands... they have seen how we govern multi-racial societies in the states ruled by PAS - Kelantan, Perak, Terengganu and Kedah.

"They can see the development there themselves," Hadi told reporters at the nomination centre as the party's candidate Normala Sudirman filed her nomination papers.

"The Islamic state bogey is no longer an issue."

NONEHe said PAS had as good a chance as Umno to win Tenang, noting that the party had dislodged Umno strongholds in by-elections before, such as in Arau (Perlis), Bukit Gantang (Perak) and in Kuala Terengganu.

"We have a chance... we had won two seats in Johor before. We have 50 percent of the Tenang votes, just as what Umno is claiming," said Hadi (above, second from left), grinning.

He sees a change in attitude towards PAS amongst the non-Muslims and the young voters, saying this would give the party a good chance.

'Umno's choice shows it has no good candidate'

PAS' defeat in the Galas by-election, he said, would not be repeated as Umno had a "fixed deposit" in Galas in the form of the orang asli voters. This, he says, Umno does not have in Tenang.

NONEAsked about the Felda settlers in the constituency who have always been staunch Umno supporters, Hadi said, "They have changed."

He said Umno's selection of Mohd Azahar (right), a former assistant district officer in Renggit who holds no post in the Labis Umno division, showed that the party did not have a good candidate.

"We fielded a teacher and social worker who is well known amongst the people here," Hadi added.

Meanwhile after nominations this morning, Normala expressed confidence that the Tenang voters will dare to spring a surprise come Jan 30.

However, she refused to respond to MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s remarks yesterday on her reluctance to shake hands with well-wishers.

"I'm not prepared to respond, now but I will comment on that at a future press conference."

'Tsunami has ended'

However, Umno information chief Ahmad Mazlan begs to differ with PAS' views on the BN candidate.

"Mohd Azahar was an assistant district officer who can help the people here to solve their land issues if elected. He is young, only 39 years old, and a 'transformation' candidate, as put by the prime minister."

NONEAhmad said Mohd Azahar was a "winnable" and "likeable" candidate and rejected claims that he was not active in the local Umno affairs.

This morning BN supporters clad in dark blue and red party T-shirts gathered at the Labis MCA office, 300m from the nomination centre at the Labis municipal council building, while Pakatan supporters rallied at their party operations centres before merging at the DAP operations centre to head for the nomination centre, a kilometre away.

Ahmad said all Umno Labis branch and division leaders, including those who were shortlisted as potential candidates, took part in the procession to the nomination centre.

"This is a good indicator, showing that Umno unity is strong. This is the advantage of Johoreans, there is no issue of boycott."

"The last general election tsunami will not return. It did not in Galas and Hulu Selangor. The political tsunami has ended, and this is why we expect to win with a 5,000-vote majority this time," Ahmad added.

Wanita Umno not discouraged

Meanwhile Wanita Umno is pledging to campaign “110 percent” for the BN candidate despite not having got its wish that a woman candidate be fielded.

Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said it was her duty to lobby at each by-election for the party to field a woman candidate.

But after the decision was made, she said, they will toe the party line to ensure a BN win.

"We will give 110 percent support," said Shahrizat.