Lifeline of BN and PR in Johor rely in Gelang Patah

The collision of two ‘heavyweights’ from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to wrestle Gelang Patah Parliamentary seat in the 13th General Election (GE13) is not only getting the attention from Johoreans but also from Malaysians worldwide.

The contest is attracting such interest because the seat will be a testing ground for both parties.

BN, which had a grip on Johor since independence, will be relying on BN state chairman, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman for a win.

On the other hand, PR which wants to widen its influence in the state will be represented by Batu Pahat-born DAP advisor, Lim Kit Siang.

The challenge is said to be a test because BN's decision to place Abdul Ghani in the area broke Gelang Patah MCA supporters' hearts who wanted their chief, Jason Teoh to contest in there.

BN Deputy Chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has even asked Jason to respect the decision from the party’s supreme leadership in order to ensure Abdul Ghani's success.

However, Lim's candidacy in the area has also not been well received.

The announcement was seen as an interference of central leadership to ease the dispute between Johor DAP and PKR on the divided seat that caused the state PKR chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Jui Meng to sulk for a while.

No matter the consequence, BN and PR saw it fit to place experienced candidates in the area although it will mean one of them will be ‘digging his own grave’ there.

Initially, it was said that Abdul Ghani is ready to not contest in any seats. However, he was seen as a perfect match for Lim.

This, however is different from PR's strategy in placing Lim in the area.

Lim's entry in Gelang Patah is hoped to give moral support to DAP election machineries in Johor in order to secure more seats for PR in the state.

During the political tsunami experienced by BN on 2008, MCA candidate, Tan Ah Eng managed to defend Gelang Patah seat from falling to PKR candidate, Zaliha Mustafa with a majority of 8,851 votes.

If BN can defend the seat, it is a sign that Johor is still a sacred fortress for BN and a pillar of UMNO.

However, if the opposite happens, it marks the foundation of PR to wrestle the whole state in the future.