Kimanis loss does not mean support for Pakatan is declining, says Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Warisan Sabah's failure to capture the Kimanis parliamentary seat should not be misconstrued as declining support for Pakatan Harapan, says Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pic).

He said there was not much difference in the total number of votes garnered in Kimanis by Warisan's candidate in the last general election and the recently concluded by-election, although Barisan Nasional retained the seat by a higher vote-majority.

"Therefore the issue of declining support does not arise.

"As Kimanis is a rural constituency, we need more time to convince voters of our initiatives to bridge the rural-urban gap," he told the media after visiting a market in Ampang together with Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

On Saturday, Barisan candidate Mohamad Alamin secured victory in the Kimanis by-election by a 2,029 vote-majority, clinching 12,706 votes against 10,677 votes secured by Warisan's Karim Bujang.

In the 14th General Election, Karim secured 11,786 votes, losing to the Barisan candidate Datuk Seri Anifah Aman by a mere 156 votes in a three-cornered fight with Pakatan Harapan candidate Jaafar Ismail, who had garnered 1,300 votes.

Expressing confidence in Warisan's performance since wresting control of the state in 2018, Azmin, who is PKR deputy president, said more time was needed to resolve major legacy issues plaguing the state.

He said Sabahans need to be convinced that they can look forward to a better future under the wings of Warisan.