GE15: Veteran candidates remain relevant in certain constituencies
Bernama
November 17, 2022 13:31 MYT
November 17, 2022 13:31 MYT
Tengku Razaleigh started contesting the Ulu Kelantan parliamentary seat (now known as Gua Musang) in 1974, and is the longest-serving representative in the country, having served 12 terms at the parliamentary level. - Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah FB
GUA MUSANG: Veteran candidates contesting the 15th General Election (GE15) should not be seen as a weakness of a political party, but are still relevant in certain localities and constituencies.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam's Centre of Media and Information Warfare Studies director, Dr Suhaimee Saahar @ Saabar said age and experience are considered by voters depending on the situation and environment of an area.
"If the locality is a simple, uncomplicated type or a rural area, in terms of development, candidate's age is not taken into account.
"As long as the candidate can serve, apart from having the experience and links with the community and industry, this can help the candidate to continue serving in the area," he said when contacted by Bernama.
Suhaimee said voters also tend to evaluate the incumbent's contribution to keeping the candidate as a representative.
"Apart from age criteria, voters will also look at the past service and contributions of the candidate or incumbent in the constituency. Next, they will decide whether it is relevant to keep these representatives or not," he said.
Suhaimee, however, acknowledges that there are also voters who yearn for change, and believe that leadership positions should be filled with younger people.
There are also voters in some constituencies who want young leaders to be given the opportunity to lead, and these young people can be divided into two groups, namely professionals and those active in politics, he said.
"Time will determine these young candidates' potential and credibility to be elected, because they will lead and serve for five years before they are re-evaluated by the voters," he said.
The longest-serving Barisan Nasional (BN) Member of Parliament, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, makes history as he will defend his Gua Musang parliamentary seat in GE15.
Tengku Razaleigh started contesting the Ulu Kelantan parliamentary seat (now known as Gua Musang) in 1974, and is the longest-serving representative in the country, having served 12 terms at the parliamentary level.
Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, will face a four-cornered fight with Datuk Dr Samsu Adabi Mamat (Gerakan Tanah Air), Datuk Mohd Azizi Naim (Perikatan Nasional), and Asharun Uji (Pakatan Harapan).
-- BERNAMA