In Malaysian politics, going up against a candidate from one major political party is already a considerable challenge. But what happens when an individual decides to take on not one, but two political giants on his own?
That is the challenge Razman Hakimi Abdullah has set for himself.
A resident of Taman Melawati, Razman has expressed his intention to contest as an independent candidate in the next general election.
What makes his story particularly interesting is that Razman is no newcomer to politics.
He was previously an UMNO member and had served in several government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and the Prime Minister’s Office during the Barisan Nasional administration.
The question, however, is whether an independent candidate can disrupt the dominance of established political parties in constituencies represented by some of the country’s most prominent political figures.
At the 2022 general election, 108 independent candidates contested parliamentary seats across Malaysia. Only two managed to win and secure seats in Parliament.
So, can Razman stand out from the many independent candidates who have tried before him?
Who is Razman?
Razman has lived in Taman Melawati since 1999 and first became involved in politics when he joined UMNO in 2008.
In 2018, he decided to leave the party, saying he felt there had been little change in the attitude of its leaders and members despite the party having been rejected by voters at the polls.
Since then, he has chosen not to join any political party. Instead, he has focused on local issues, community activities and advocating for residents in his area.
Explaining why he chose to remain politically independent, Razman said this allowed him to work directly with residents without being constrained by party affiliations.
“If I want to fight for the people as an individual, without being associated with any political party, I can carry out that responsibility more freely. If residents call me about problems with drains, electricity, traffic lights or street lighting, it is easier for me to step in and help.”
“I don't hold any position. I haven't held any position in any organisation since 2018, and I don't hold any position in any political party. What I have tried to bring is change, the idea that anyone can call me, regardless of whether they support a party, oppose a party or do not care about politics at all," he said.
For Razman, that independence has allowed him to focus on practical problems faced by residents, including traffic and infrastructure issues around the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).
Taking on two political heavyweights
Several months ago, Razman announced his intention to contest both the Hulu Kelang state constituency and the Gombak parliamentary seat, two constituencies that are hardly insignificant on Malaysia’s political map.
The incumbent for Hulu Kelang is Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, a former Selangor Menteri Besar and former Cabinet minister.
Gombak, meanwhile, is represented by Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is currently the Selangor Menteri Besar.
That immediately raises a central question, can an independent candidate such as Razman make an impact against political figures with established party machinery, government experience and strong political networks?
For Razman, his decision to contest is not simply driven by political ambition.
He argues that many elected representatives today have failed to deliver what residents expect, despite holding influential positions at either the state or federal level.
In his view, a politician’s position within the political hierarchy does not necessarily translate into better outcomes for the people in the constituency.
Razman believes voters should therefore assess candidates based on their record, commitment and ability to address local problems, rather than relying solely on party logos or political sentiment.
Reflecting on the 2022 general election, he argued that voters in Gombak were influenced more by political sentiment than by the candidates’ track records.
Razman pointed to what he sees as unresolved local problems, including traffic congestion and flooding.
“Gombak is a huge constituency, stretching from here to Batu 10 and almost towards Sekinchan. We have Orang Asli communities, people from different backgrounds and households ranging from the B40 group upwards. They all need someone who can actually help them with their problems.”
He argued that some of these problems are basic matters that should be addressed through effective coordination and political intervention.
“Take flooding, for example. Even the flooding around MRR2 has not been resolved. The traffic congestion that people have been talking about for years is still there. Why? Because there has been no initiative from the politicians.” he added.
For Razman, political representation should ultimately be measured by the ability to use the authority and government machinery available to elected representatives to address such issues.
Can an independent candidate break through?
Whether Razman can pull off an electoral surprise will ultimately be decided by voters when the next election takes place.
The reality, however, is that history shows just how difficult the path is for independent candidates in Malaysia.
Without the extensive machinery, funding, organisational structure and established networks enjoyed by major political parties, independent candidates face significant challenges in translating local support into votes at the ballot box.
Razman’s proposed contest in Hulu Kelang and Gombak would therefore be more than a personal political gamble. It would also test whether an independent candidate can persuade voters to look beyond established party loyalties and assess an individual candidate on his record and engagement with the community.
For Razman, the contest is not simply about winning or losing.
It is about making the case that voters have the option to assess candidates based on their service record, commitment and ability to solve problems, rather than simply their political position, party affiliation or influence.
The question now is whether voters in Hulu Kelang and Gombak will be willing to give an independent candidate that opportunity.
Or will the established political parties and their machinery continue to be the decisive factor when voters head to the polls?
Azzman Mantoya (azzman.tvpertiwi@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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