UMNO should go for ISA in Bagan Pinang
September 19, 2009
Advice to UMNO and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin
UMNO should choose ISA Samad and listen to the voices of the people as this is consistent with Najib’s “Rakyat diutamakan”. After all, ISA was the most successful Menteri Besar in UMNO’s 52 year-rule over Negri Sembilan with a reputation of murky and corrupt politics. And that is what UMNO will need if it is retain the state seat and reverse the trend of losing by- elections (except for Batang Ai, Sarawak).
In addition to the 4,000-5,000 postal voters in its favour–this is a presumption– ISA will ensure victory in Bagan Pinang. He has a better image than their candidate in Permatang Pasir. UMNO, go for ISA and for this leader of quality! Ignore Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh.–Din Merican
Malaysiakini.com
September 18, 2009
Poll: Tainted Isa people’s choice for Bagan Pinang
by Hafiz Yatim
An independent poll reported in Harakah shows that Isa Samad still holds sway among the constituents in his home district. 
Isa (right) was found guilty by UMNO and stripped of his vice presidency in the 2005 party elections but according to an independent poll reported in Harakah, former Menteri Besar, Isa Samad remains the favourite among Bagan Pinang constituents to represent Barisan Nasional.
Harakah, the opposition PAS mouthpiece today reported that an independent poll run by Ilham Centre, that almost 60 (59.6 ) per cent of respondents in Bagan Pinang want Isa to stand for BN.
The poll conducted earlier this week, however, did not state how big the sample population was taken.
They also felt that Isa’s legacy should be revived as it would be beneficial to them compared to the current Menteri Besar Mohamad Hassan running the state.
The centre acknowledged the percentage was relatively high but at the same time, the constituents are also said to be wondering what would happen if the BN actually fields Isa.
Isa, the long time Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, who was born in Malacca but raised in Negeri Sembilan, had been found guilty by UMNO’s disciplinary committee for vote-buying.
As a result, Isa was stripped of his vice-presidency and had his membership suspended. He also had to quit as the then Federal Territories Minister in former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s cabinet.
Isa popular among UMNO Division
Known to be vocal and close to party members, Isa still manages to garner a lot of support and respect among UMNO party members.
It was reported that the Telok Kemang UMNO division had unanimously nominated Isa, who heads the division, as its candidate in the upcoming by-election.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO deputy president 
Muhyiddin Yassin (left) wanted Negeri Sembilan UMNO to give several names and not limit itself to one candidate only.
The deputy premier had also confirmed he has yet to receive any nominations from Negeri Sembilan UMNO and that yesterday, it was also reported that Isa chose to be evasive of his chances to be a candidate.
“I don’t know…the selection of candidate is decided by the leadership and this has always been UMNO’s practice,” Isa was quoted as saying.
“We leave it to the wisdom of the leadership to choose a suitable candidate for Bagan Pinang. Let them evaluate,” Isa had told reporters.
The Election Commission, announced October 3 as nomination day and October 11 and polling day for this ninth-by-election, since the March 8, 2008 general election.
The seat fell vacant when UMNO assemblyperson, Azman Mohd Noor passed away last month.
Poll: Many say UMNO is racist party
The independent poll also showed that 34.8 per cent felt that UMNO is a racist party, while 32.8 per cent felt otherwise, and the remainder responded they do not know.
The centre’s findings also showed that 52 per cent of the constituents felt UMNO-BN is a corrupt party, while 22.2 per cent do not agree.
The study also felt that PAS would better represent the Pakatan Rakyat opposition in this by-election (57.2 percent ), compared to 32.8 per cent who wanted PKR. PKR however, holds the Teluk Kemang parliamentary seat, and also three out of five state seats are held by the opposition.
Bagan Pinang remains an UMNO stronghold with 4,000 plus postal voters.
Totally agree with you. Pakatan will have zero chance in view of the postal votes. I say put this corrupt ISA up. And watch the show after he get elected when he goes for the MB post. It will be good for BN for it will distract people from PKFZ, cowhead, Katika, Altantuya and what have you.
imwatchinu - September 19, 2009 at 8:29 am
I have a feeling that ISA Jr. will be their candidate. They are worry of internal backlash from ISA supporters if other candidate is chosen….!
Sn0w - September 19, 2009 at 8:51 am
Well if a barisan victory is already assured because of the postal votes , then any ahmad, mahathir or nik can be picked to represent barisan . So why THINK ONLY of ISA WHEN THERE IS AHMAD , MAHATHIR AND NIK WHO THINK THEY CAN DO A BETTER JOB THEN ISA?
karena - September 19, 2009 at 9:20 am
AND IF ISA IS CHOOSEN THEN I GUESS HE WILL REPRESENT DR MAHATHIR’S LEGACY WHICH DR MAHATHIR IS TRYING SO HARD TO PROTECT.
karena - September 19, 2009 at 9:22 am
there be another election soon in selangor after ramadan….one state assembly man will be charge soon….exciting days ahead …keep all posted
mccann105 - September 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Semi-Value, can be really big ” Value ” , how about splash out RM 20 million for the 2000+
” Modus Operandi”,can be : Give each person a cheap handphone with camera, record the seria no. Take a picture in the voting booth of the ballot paper.
After that claim the money.A quick calculation to make it worth, how about splash out RM 20 million, i.e a person can get 10k or so.
Even if PR does not win, PR would have done great service to the economy; RM 20 million injection into BP economy of at least RM 40 million with a multiplier effect of 2.
One way or the other SemiValue will have to do something.
chinlwu - September 19, 2009 at 2:28 pm
UMNO is a recycle political party. They like to recycle the corrupted members. Just like a bottle of kicap, after emptying the bottle it is sent back to the factory, rinse and then filled up with kicap and sold in the supermarket. The ordinary Malaysian will gobble up this kicap in the recycled bottle. First kicap cap Mat Tyson, then Kicap cap Tamby Kechik, now kicap cap Mat ISA. Kisar yob kisar.
shrek - September 19, 2009 at 3:05 pm
What is the internet penetration like in Malaysia today among Malays? Lower than the national average. Which can only mean one thing. The misinformation and disinformation by the print media will decide the course of the next general elections.
The majority of Malays are still behind UMNO. Many have come to accept that corruption is something they will have to put up with. They are not convinced that their cause is not better served by a reformed UMNO.
Mr Bean - September 19, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The fact that there are 4,000-5,000 postal votes in Bagan Pinang makes UMNO the odds on favorites to win. Their choice of the “right” candidate (and I think they should pick ISA Samad) will have some bearing on the outcome. But the string of by-election victories starting with Permatang Puah in August, 2008 will be a psychological advantage to Pakatan Rakyat and their chances of beating UMNO cannot be discounted. In addition, corruption, abuse of power, high crime, and the economy have to factored into the calculus. It is, therefore, too early to call.–Din Merican
dinobeano - September 19, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Even if Isa’s son is chosen, the stain still seeps through the white linen. We know that this is to appease Isa’s supporters but all right thinking rakyat knows that this is the jalan belakang way to prop-up their war-lord.
Good for their reputation as it just shows UMNO has no able and legit candidate that they can select to represent them. Let their stupidity continue… it just shows that the UMNO condones vote buying as long as that person is able to bring in the votes.
Same old, same old fermented arak.
1sos - September 19, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Dear Din Merican,
True, putting ISA may win BN the constituency BUT overall UMNO would still lose in the long run. Mainly it is because of the people negative perception should UMNO continues to field him. Right, these people may not be the constituents of Bagan Pinang but Malaysians overall can see it through what UMNO stands for. Like what TDM said, ISA may win DUN Bagan Pinang but come next General Election, BN may just lose Negeri Sembilan.
If winning the DUN at all cost irrespective of whether BN might lose the State Goverment is the policy then you may be right. Go ahead and field ISA.
I got nothing against ISA but once one is implicated and found guilty of corruption, it is difficult for people to forget. It is all common sense.
Yours truly,
Din of USA
Din - September 19, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Of all the UMNO members residing in Bagan Kemang constituency, why must he be ISA SAMAD. UMNO should not be held for ransom! More so with so many people waiting to take advantage of corrupt ISA SAMAD.
Yours truly,
Amir
Amir - September 19, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Only IF The Malaysian Leaders could be anywhere near as Obama, Malaysia would be a shining light for all the Muslim and non Muslim world, but sad to say it is not to be. JUST READ THE HARI RAYA MESSAGE FROM OBAMA TO MALAYSIA. It mightv be a standard issue from the White House to all Muslim nations but believe me he is trying to bridge the gap between the 2 factions.Lets All Give Him A Chance to do his Bit.
Never has a white president of the US sent a Hari Raya message to Malaysia.
Selamat Hari Raya to all MALAYSIANS, Muslims, Christians Hindus Budists, East Malaysians. GOD BLESS YOU.
AM I Wasting the Blog time. Tell it to Najib.
Brian - September 19, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Merican,
You are right. I say it shall be 50 – 50. Given the fact that there are 2 factions in Negeri Sembilan. Pakatan Rakyat must secure above 70% of non malay votes. Better still, 85%. While grabbing above 65% of malay votes
You see to beat postal votes as well as the hantu votes, you need a landslide victory. A landslide so big that it would negate all the hantus
PAS must gear to win….
looes74 - September 19, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Loose74,
Voter turnout should be at least 80-85 per cent if PAS-PR is to have any chance of winning by a convincing margin. If we can have more than 20% of the postal votes, that will be helpful. In order to achieve that target, we must excite voters with local and national issues, and use Anwar Ibrahim, Zaid Ibrahim, Chua Jui Meng and Dato Subra from PKR and key PAS and DAP leaders strategically.
I am also glad that Haris Ibrahim, Bernard Khoo and others from Barisan Rakyat Bloggers have set up a camp in Bagan Pinang. They will be active throughout the campaign period and I will join them from time to time.
We will give this by election our best shot, knowing that the odds on favorite, UMNO is not unbeatable. The tiff between MIC’s Samy Velu and born again UMNO man, Tun Dr. Mahathir should swing Indian voters towards Pakatan Rakyat. And that is why Samy has said that the Tun should not campaign there. –Din Merican
dinobeano - September 20, 2009 at 8:59 am