[Watch] Fight Between Umno Members In Gerik Raises Doubt On Asyraf Wajdi’s Popularity
The Gerik Parliament seat, which has been vacant since November 2020, is seen as a safe seat for Umno.
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A video of a fight that broke out allegedly between Umno members in a party operations room in Gerik, Perak, has been making rounds on social media.
According to what is being shared, the incident was said to have stemmed from dissatisfaction over the selection of candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15).
@pejuangringgitmy BN indah khabar dari rupa #zahidhamidipresidenterbaikabadini #klustermahkamah #barisannasionalpenyamun ♬ Barisan Nasional – Eddie Hamid
The video, lasting 1 minute and 32 seconds, started with a war of words which then escalated into a fight.
However, the incident was successfully resolved by other party members who were there.
The incident was also shared by other netizens, including popular cartoonist Zunar.
Sementara itu kekecohan besar telah berlaku Di Umno Gerik! pic.twitter.com/YaRbFVzCFC
— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) November 3, 2022
Promises Are Made To Be Broken
Some Umno supporters questioned the credibility of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was selected to contest in Gerik when he was an outsider.
His nomination is said to be against the tradition in Gerik, as local leaders were usually selected to represent Umno.
Meanwhile, news portal Warta Rakyat said Gerik District Police Chief, Superintendent Zulkifli Mahmood, confirmed the commotion.
In GE14, Asyraf who contested in the In GE14, Asyraf who contested in the Pasir Puteh parliamentary constituency, lost to Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh from PAS, who garnered a 1,360-vote majority.
Perak Umno chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad said Asyraf was put in Gerik as a last-minute decision.
The anger of some Umno supporters is not surprising, as he had said earlier on that there would be no outside candidates.
#NSTnation Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today confirmed that there would be no “parachute” candidate contesting in the Gerik parliamentary seat.#Perak #BarisanNasional #GE15 #MyUndi #Gerikhttps://t.co/qaKEiDl7IQ
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) October 24, 2022
David Versus Goliath
Asyraf will take on DAP Central Committee member Howard Lee Chuan How in Gerik.
Lee, Pasir Pinji state assemblyman, faces an uphill task as the seat is a stronghold of UMNO, and the party has never lost in Gerik.
Despite this, Lee said DAP being fielded in Gerik was considered a huge progress as it increases the number of seats contested by the party in Perak.
DAP Perak will contest eight parliamentary and 19 state seats in GE15.
Over the years, Lee has been helping the community in Gerik, especially the Orang Asli.
And given Umno’s internal split in Gerik, Lee might stand a chance after all.
In GE14, the seat was won by the late Datuk Hasbullah Osman with a 5,528-vote majority.
It has been vacant since November 2020 after Hasbullah passed away due to a heart attack.
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