TANJUNG MALIM: Perak Barisan Nasional is prepared to fight all the “giants” who are coming to the state for the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Barisan chairman said that it is a good thing for political giants to come and contest in the state.
“We take it in a positive way. Those giants will awaken our election machinery to fight and 'kill' them." he said.
Saarani added that Perak Barisan welcomes all challengers and added that voters will not be fooled again by any propaganda.
“Some people came to me and said they are worried after seeing the number of followers escorting the giants at Tambun and Larut," he said at a press conference after attending a Deepavali celebration at Kampung Chengai, Sungkai on Monday (Oct 24).
Larut is currently held by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, who won the seat on an Umno ticket and is currently the Bersatu secretary-general
He said the followers are just 10% of the voters.
"What about the remaining 90%? This time, voters will learn from what had happened in 2018 (previous election). I believe people in Tambun will not be easily fooled," he added.
When asked if Barisan would place a big name in Tambun, Saarani said the party will decide on the best candidate.
“Everyone in the party is a giant, that I am sure of. If three by-elections have rejected him, why would Tambun voters call him a giant?,” he said.
On Oct 20, PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that he will contest the Tambun parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections.
Incumbent Tambun MP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu had on Oct 21 said he is not bothered about facing Anwar and said he has advantages compared to an “outsider”.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said on Oct 22 that Tambun Umno division chief Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah has been proposed to contest there.
On the Gerik parliamentary seat, Saarani said Barisan would place a candidate who is capable of winning it.
“There will be no parachute candidate. Barisan will not create a new problem. If there is a party who tries to contest there, I wish them luck. Barisan's machinery is prepared, and we are all fighters,” he said.
Talk is rife that incumbent DAP Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee Chuan How will contest in Gerik against Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Gerik parliamentary seat fell vacanct following the passing of its incumbent Datuk Hasbullah Osman in 2020 and the by-election was postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic and declaration of emergency.
