State polls: Slim majority puts BN's Seri Menanti candidate on full alert

KUALA PILAH: Barisan Nasional may have won the Seri Menanti seat in Negri Sembilan in the previous state polls, but the coalition's candidate for the constituency is aware that the slim 595-vote majority win will not guarantee him victory this time.

Muhammad Sufian Maradzi (pic), who is Barisan's candidate for the Aug 12 state polls, said he would not take his opponent lightly.

"The candidate I am going up against (Bersatu's Jamali Salam) is a strong and well-known character," said the Kuala Pilah Umno deputy chief.

"I hope we both practise mature politics and focus on principles instead of belittling our opponents," he said.

In the previous Negri state polls, then Barisan candidate Datuk Abd Samad Ibrahim defeated Jamali and another PAS candidate.

Bersatu was then with Pakatan Harapan but has since left the coalition to form Perikatan Nasional with PAS.

Muhammad Sufian, 41, said there were a myriad of things he wanted to accomplish if elected.

Among them are improving the roads from Seremban to Kuala Pilah, further promoting Seri Menanti – where the state palace is located – as a tourist attraction, as well as improving Internet connectivity in rural areas.

"It is my first experience standing as a candidate and the interest (in politics) comes from my family, who are actively involved in community work.

Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will hold their state elections on Aug 12.

Nomination day falls on Saturday (July 29) with early polling on Aug 8.