SG KANDIS POLLS | Former premier Najib Abdul Razak's presence on the Sungai Kandis by-election campaign trail for BN candidate Lokman Noor Adam is unlikely to cause voters to swing, believes his rival from Pakatan Harapan, Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni.

Zawawi told Malaysiakini today that rather than race and religion – a major feature of Lokman's campaign – voters are more concerned about what Harapan can do to improve basic infrastructure in the constituency.

"In these 11 days of campaigning, the people's complaints are largely about infrastructure problems, like roads that need to be fixed," he said when asked about voters' concerns.

Zawawi also pinpointed the Kampung Pandan and Sungai Kandis as two of the polling districts Harapan is paying special attention to, since the coalition secured less than 40 percent of total votes in both.

"We are raising several issues which can be addressed. Like this evening, Works Minister Baru Bian will come down to Sungai Kandis to look at some infrastructure problems.

"For the Jalan Kebun, Taman Berjaya and Haji Husin polling districts, these areas are my 'playground' and where I always connect with people.

"I hold classes at the mosque here and these people, they all know me," he said when met at a sup kambing (mutton soup) stall on day 11 of the election campaign.

Harapan obtained a smaller share of votes than BN and PAS combined in all three polling districts during GE14.

Islamic credentials

Lokman’s campaign in the Malay-majority Sungai Kandis has been largely focused on highlighting the Harapan administration’s alleged failure to protect Malay-Muslim rights.

Zawawi denies the claim, however, citing his personal credentials as a graduate of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University and his experience as a tahfiz school headmaster.

"I am confident that the voters will support me. Including the ones who voted for Umno and PAS.

"No matter who comes to Jalan Kebun, I believe it will not change the voters' views or perceptions," he added.

Najib is scheduled to speak at a ceramah in Jalan Kebun tonight.

In GE14, BN and PAS garnered 2,079 of 3,532 ballots issued in the polling district, while PKR secured just over a third. Of the 2,079 votes, PAS alone obtained 950, its best showing in all of Sungai Kandis’ 20 polling districts.

Although PAS is sitting out of this by-election, several top party leaders have called on their supporters to vote for Lokman.

'Umno's campaign lacklustre'

Former PKR Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Yaakob Sapari, who accompanied Zawawi on his walkabout, noted that BN's campaign this time around appeared to be lacklustre compared to the previous elections.

"Throughout this campaign period, Umno looks like they have no mood to campaign.

"I miss seeing the Puteri Umno team," he quipped.

Unlike PKR and Harapan, Yaakob (photo) said BN is not used to campaigning without ample funds or access to government agencies.

"In the past, they could bring in people to campaign, they could use various agencies, but not anymore.

"This by-election is also very soon after GE14, so the people's mood (in favour of Harapan) is still there," he added.

The Sungai Kandis by-election was triggered following the death of its incumbent, Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei due to cancer on July 2.

Aside from Zawawi and Lokman, independent candidate K Murthy filed his nomination papers, but has not made any appearances so far.

Polling takes place this Saturday.