Zahid thanks Chinese for thumping BN victories in by-elections

Zahid talking to reporters in Kuala Kangsar after Barisan's win

KUALA KANGSAR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed his gratitude to Chinese voters in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar for helping to give Barisan Nasional strong wins in both by-elections.

“As the Barisan Nasional coordinator for the by-elections here and in Sungai Besar, I would like to thank the voters in Sungai Besar especially the Chinese voters in Sekinchan and Pekan Sungai Besar who gave their trust to the Barisan candidate.

“Similarly to the Chinese voters in Kuala Kangsar who have also started to give their trust to Barisan,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the official results of the by-election here was announced by the Election Commission at Dewan Jubli Perak.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also thanked all Barisan component parties for their close cooperation during the election campaign.

Barisan retained Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar with majorities of 9,191 and 6,969 votes respectively.

Barisan candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi of Umno polled 16,800 votes in Sungai Besar compared to Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur’s 7,609 with Dr Abdul Rani Osman of PAS emerging third with 6,902 votes.

In Kuala Kangsar, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid of Barisan polled 12,653 votes.

PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad obtained 5,684 votes while Amanah’s Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli managed to get 4,883. The independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary lost his deposit with 54 votes.