Rompin by-election: Time for soul searching for BN

ROMPIN: Barisan Nasional's victory in the Rompin by-election was expected as the constituency is considered its fortress.

However, the mood at the centre where the results was announced on Tuesday night was subdued.

Barisan's veteran candidate Datuk Hasan Arifin had won with a reduced majority of 8,895 votes compared to 15,114 votes in the 13th general election which was won by the late Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis.

This was a reduction by 6,219 votes or a drop of 20.8% of votes they garnered in 2013.

Hasan garnered 23,796 votes with PAS’ Nazri Ahmad getting 14,901 votes.

In this by-election, voter turnout was 73% compared to 85.9% in the general election.

Barisan can't point to the lower turnout as an excuse for the lower majority as PAS' vote count dropped by only 25, a negligible number.

In fact, the lower voter count worked against PAS as it was in the younger streams that saw less people voting.

PAS believes that many of these young voters were away working outstation and could not return home to vote.

The result of the by-election would have been more interesting if it was held on a weekend.

Out of 38 polling districts, PAS won in four. In 2013, it won only one.

These included two Felda settlements, something that they described as extraordinary.

Barisan's reduced majority could be attributed to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April.

The Rompin by-election was the first to be called after the implementation of the broad based tax at a rate of 6%.

PAS had used this issue to primarily campaign in the by-election.

It also played up issues that had to do with Felda settlers who made up 52% of the electorate.

While the older generation of Felda settlers are thankful to Barisan, the younger or second generation settlers are more to the opposition.

During campaigning, PAS said they managed to attract about 700 youngsters into the party, some of whom will only be eligible to vote in the next general election.

The party is also on the verge of opening five branches in the constituency.

Another reason that could have favoured PAS was the fielding of a youngster from Felda.

The younger electorate would have resonated with him compared to Hasan, the former deputy mentri besar of Pahang from 1995-1999.

One thing for sure is that Barisan leaders have a lot of soul searching to do if they want Rompin to remain a fortress.

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BN’s Hasan cruises to a clear victory