Hasan is the name being mentioned as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Rompin and Permatang Pauh by-elections this May.

In Permatang Pauh, National Civics Bureau director Hasan Mohamad is among the names that has been frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the May 7 by-election.

Similarly in Rompin, Rompin UMNO division acting chief Datuk Hasan Arifin is among the names mentioned for Rompin by-election on May 5.

Another name is Rompin UMNO Youth chief, Datuk Mohamad Sahfri Ab Aziz.

Following the death of Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis last April 4, Hasan's name being proposed as a candidate has been heard the loudest in the parliamentary constituency of 5,390.2 sq km.

At almost 56 years of age, Hasan is not a novice in Pahang's political arena because he has served as Pahang Deputy Menteri Besar from 1995 till 1999.

While holding that post, among his outstanding roles was as the man responsible to develop the Gebeng industrial area as the pulse of Pahang's economic activities at that time.

Hasan who hails from Kampung Ayau, Leban Chondong, was also among the prominent people who played a role in ensuring the successful construction of the East Coast Highway besides expanding Kuantan Port.

For residents in Rompin or Pahang, Hasan is known through his service and contribution since joining UMNO in 1976.

Starting as Pekan UMNO Division Committee member in 1978, Hasan later became divisional UMNO youth chief in 1984 before moving to Rompin and holding the same post in 1986.

With the credibility that he had showed, Hasan was subsequently given the trust to lead the Rompin UMNO division in 1990-2004 besides having served as Bukit Ibam state assemblyman and state government exco member.

He has also served as Pahang State Agriculture Development Corporation chairman and member of Felda Board of Directors.

Hence, it will not be a surprise if Hasan is the choice of the local community because he is said to be approachable and well-known among Rompin residents regardless of age.

Apart from Hasan, Mohamad Sahfri's name is also being mentioned lately, which is further strengthened with a Twitter note from UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who envisaged him to be the national leadership's choice.

"The name sent is widely experienced, son of a Felda pioneer, a local, has religious background and UMNO Youth senior leader," is a description that fits Mohamad Sahfri.

Currently, he is the UMNO Youth assistant secretary and has served as Bukit Ibam state assemblyman for two terms from 2004 until 2013.

As an assemblyman, he was also given the confidence to become a state government executive member, holding the portfolio of Religious Affairs, Dakwah, Unity and NGOs.

He has also served as Rompin UMNO Division chief since 2004 until 2014 but lost to Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain at the UMNO Youth election end of 2013.

Even though his father is a pioneer of Felda Keratong pioneer, Mohamad Sahfri was born in Kedah, a criteria which does not meet the expectations of Rompin residents, who prefer a local-born to be their elected representative.

Whoever is placed in Rompin later, the BN will need to fulfil the locals' desire to have a candidate of their choice to ensure Rompin remains as UMNO's fortress.

It is believed that the outcome of the Rompin by-election will indirectly influenced the Permatang Pauh by-election's results.