I was born in Kampong Sungai Choh, Rawang Hulu Selangor about 55 years ago. Now at this time, this area has attracted the attention of politicians and the public in the whole country. Hulu Selangor has attracted the attention of the nation because in the coming Sunday there will be a local election. The local election is to choose a new parliamentary representative of the peoples due to the death of Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin of PKR. Barisan National has nominated P Kamalanathan of MIC as their candidates and PKR has nominated Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Besides the two candidates, representing the two main political parties in Malaysia there are also two candidates contesting in the election as the representative of non-partisan but both of them finally withdraw. The general breakdown of the population consists of 53.94 percent Malays, 18.98 percent Indians and 26.67 percent Chinese, others consist of 0.41percent.The Malays are Muslims, and the rest are mostly non-Muslims.

In the last by election in Negeri Sembilan, Barisan National wins and many believe that it was the beginning of the awakening of Barisan National. Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib gave a smiling face when the result of the election announced. He was certainly very happy with the result, because it somehow indicates to a certain extent the acceptance of the people on his leadership as the new President of Barisan National and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Prior to this Barisan National had lost almost all-local election conducted since the last general election. It was a great moment of joy for all the leaders of the Barisan National to see their candidates Dato’ Mohd Isa Samad wins the election. Many political analysts also believe that the result of the election indicates the acceptance of the people on the concept of one Malaysia mooted by our Prime Minister. Hulu Selangor by election is another test to the leadership of Prime Minister and the concept of one Malaysia.

Politically, Hulu Selangor has always been in the hand of Barisan National and MIC has always represented it. When I was young, I can remember Barisan National always wins in Hulu Selangor and the candidates were always from MIC. In those days, Malays in Hulu Selangor are very loyal to Umno and Barisan National. They will always support Barisan National. No matter whoever the candidate was, they support Umno and Barisan National. In those days, the support of the Malays in Hulu Selangor toward Umno and Barisan National was undivided. Now the situation has changed dramatically. Malay support towards Umno and Barisan National is no longer, as it was before. Many Malays particularly the young support PKR. In the last general election PKR win the Parliamentary seat ofHulu Selangor, which was traditionally, belong to Barisan National. Many young voters want to have reform and they opted for PKR. They want reform and they had enough with Barisan National. In the last general election, PKR took over Selangor from Barisan National.

One advantage PKR has over Barisan is that PKR has nominated Malay while Barisan National has nominated Indian to be the candidates. Although our Prime Minister has put a great thought on who should be the candidates to represent Barisan National but in the end, he decides MIC to represent Barisan National. Najib has clearly said that the choice he made is base on ‘setiakawan’. He has made the choice because MIC has traditionally contested as the representatives of Barisan National in Hulu Selangor. Our Prime Minister has made the choice in order to maintain harmony between the component parties in Barisan National and not on the needs of the time and place. According to the needs of time and place Barisan National should chose Malay to be the candidate. The situation has now changed dramatically and although it may hurt MIC; the right choice of candidates to represent Barisan National in Hulu Selangor according to the needs of time and place should be a good Muslim Malay.

When Barisan National put up P Kamalanathan as the candidates versus Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of PKR, the Umno members can smell that they are at the disadvantage .Umno members fear that the Malays in Hulu Selangor may vote for Datuk Zaid Ibrahim instead of P Kamalanathan from Barisan National. In order to counter the disadvantage, Umno members start the tactic of exposing the bad qualities of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Umno members has label Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as a person addicted to alcohol. Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has admitted that he is not an angel and he said that he has asked forgiveness from Allah. Even though Datuk Zaid Ibrahim maybe an alcoholic but he is still a Muslim and he is thousand times better than a non-Muslims are. Allah has ordered us to respect a Muslim and not to expose their wrong doings because they have recited the Kalimah. When Umno members continue to attack the personalities of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Allah is not please with them and Barisan National may lose this by election. None can give honor and disgrace but Allah. Allah is the One that decide who will wins in this election and not the people. The decision of Allah is base on the amals of the people and not on their wealth and power. It is not the people who give power but Allah. Allah is the One that gives government and Allah is the One that take away government. Allah decides to give government to those with better amal.

Prof Dr Nasoha Saabin
April 2010
Integrative Holistic Wellness Centre