Photo: Bernama
KOTA TINGGI: Two ministers, who were dropped as candidates in the upcoming polls, have now banded together to support Barisan Nasional's Tenggara parliamentary seat candidate.
Both Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique were out campaigning for Manndzri Nasib here.
“We adhere to Umno’s instructions and we are genuine in helping Manndzri to defend the Tenggara parliamentary seat. Our presence in his campaign shows our utmost support for him.
“Manndzri is the ideal candidate for the seat as he has the potential and has shown leadership qualities when he won the Asean youth award and national youth award back in 2013," Dr Adham told reporters during a gathering with Tenggara Barisan machinery at Dewan Seri Kembaran.
“I believe he can continue to bring development into Tenggara, which we have planned,” he said.
Halimah said she and Dr Adham wanted to help Manndzri in winning the parliament seat for Barisan.
Dr Adham, who is the incumbent Tenggara MP, was dropped and replaced by Manndzri, who is the division youth chief, while Halimah had to make way for Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Kota Tinggi.
Dr Adham, who is also the state Umno information chief, added that at least three parliamentary seats within Kota Tinggi district would remain with Barisan.
He said seats such as Tenggara, Kota Tinggi and Pengerang would continue to be Barisan’s stronghold in the 15th General Election (GE15).
The Tenggara Umno division chief said if Barisan is able to win the 20 targeted seats, it would be the best results for the party in Johor.
“What is important is that our machinery must work harder within the next few days as we are almost getting to the polling date and to make voters believe in us.
“We should achieve Johor Umno chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad’s target of making the state the party’s fortress once more,” he added.
He also said that the support for Barisan during the Johor polls held in March this year, which led to its landslide victory, was a clear indication that the party would do well here in GE15.
