DAP's Young Syefura faces tough odds in Bentong

DAP's new candidate for the parliamentary seat of Bentong may face a stiff challenge at the 15th general election (GE15) with a number of locals questioning her track record of service and even voicing a preference for the pre-2018 MP from Barisan Nasional (BN). 

Young Syefura Othman, popularly known as Rara, was announced as DAP's candidate to defend the seat at the coming polls, replacing environmental activist Wong Tack who beat MCA's Liow Tiong Lai there at the 14th general election. 

She is DAP's deputy youth chief and the incumbent assemblyman for Ketari, one of four state constituencies under the Bentong seat, alongside Bilut, Sabai and Pelangai.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, in announcing her candidacy, had cited her history in Ketari as an advantage.

"We encourage candidates who have a presence in the constituency," he said. 

"This was a decision with months of deliberation and observation." 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, though, bakery owner Flex Tang Chin Choy said he was not optimistic about her chances. 

"She came, gave a few pointers, and left," he said.

Fellow Bentong resident Md Zulkifle Md Yunos meanwhile described Young Syefura as a "glamour" candidate. 

"Ketari is a small area – the Bentong constituency is huge," he said. 

"Sorry to say, fielding Rara means that you're trying to fool the people." 

Young Syefura's candidacy had been met with resistance by Wong, who refused the party's suggestion for him to contest the Cameron Highlands seat instead. 

A defiant Wong later announced that he would still run in Bentong, as an independent candidate. 

But his chances of defending his seat remain to be seen as well.

Tang said his first choice would in fact be Liow, a former minister for transport and health, who recently announced his intention to return to the seat. 

"He contributed a lot to Bentong," he said. "The results speak for themselves."

Citing the country's perennial problem with floods, he said Wong had not proven himself in this regard. 

Local M Muniandy agreed, saying he had received no aid when his home was hit by floods. 

"I didn't see him," he said, referring to Wong. "Not a single sen was given." 

Muniandy, who voted for BN at GE14, said he would do the same again at GE15. 

He, too, said it would be difficult for Young Syefura to win in Bentong. 

"It's hard," he said. "I don't see her around here. How can I give her my support?"

Armugam Sinnappan, who runs a coffee shop, said Wong had gone down to the ground to help in the post-flood clean-up efforts. 

However, he said Liow, as a government MP, could help more. 

"When Liow was in the government, he got the help," he said. "The opposition, of course, would get less." 

Zulkifle meanwhile said that Liow had continued to serve the community by renovating the hospital there during the floods, even though he was no longer its MP. 

Liow himself voiced disappointment in DAP's decision not to field Wong in Bentong, calling it a "tactic". 

"Bentong's development has been left behind for four years," he said. 

"You must continue and let the people judge." 

Returning to the matter of Young Syefura as DAP's candidate, Muniandy said race was not his concern. 

He said his criteria in choosing a representative was whether or not the person could do the job.