Old friends: Rozali (left) and Ahmad sitting together and sharing a light moment.
KEMAMAN: Despite their political rivalry, the candidates vying for Terengganu’s Kijal seat displayed their camaraderie by sitting at the same table during nomination day.
Both Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Rozali Idris were seen on good terms.
Ahmad, who was enjoying refreshments after going through the nomination process at Dewan Sivik Kijal here, beckoned Rozali to sit next to him.
“Mari duduk sini. Kawan lama ni! (Come sit here. You’re an old friend!)” said Ahmad.
Their supporters, meanwhile, were outside and cordoned off from each other.
Both men are no strangers to each other. In the earlier days, Rozali was a Terengganu Umno Youth chief, while Ahmad headed the party’s state chapter.
Rozali later joined Bersatu, which is part of Perikatan, and now leads the party’s Terengganu chapter.
Speaking to reporters later, Ahmad said his campaign would be driven by a need to continue developing the state holistically.
He cited projects implemented during his administration between 2008 and 2014 which included infrastructure, sports and education development.
“We want to reinstate the development here in Terengganu.
“Take a look at my track record (as MB). Most of the development was during my time – the drawbridge, (tourism) in Kenyir Lake, housing projects and sports development,” he said.
Ahmad has been the incumbent of Kijal since 1990. However, he failed to snatch the Kemaman federal seat from its incumbent Che Alias Hamid of PAS who won with a 27,179-vote majority in GE15.
As for Rozali who is contesting in Barisan’s stronghold, he said he is undeterred by his former party member.
He claimed that Ahmad’s influence in the constituency has declined over the years.
“Umno might be strong here back then, but not anymore. We could see that over the years, support for Ahmad has reduced. Even in the last 15th General Election, he lost the federal seat.”
Rozali is confident the “green wave” during GE15 would continue in the state polls.
“I can see the waves here already. Young voters, especially Malay-Muslims, are leaning towards Perikatan,” he said.
Over in Kuala Terengganu where a by-election will be held, Perikatan’s Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim will be making a second bid for the parliamentary constituency after his victory in GE15 was nullified by the Election Court two weeks ago.
Ahmad Amzad will face Pakatan Harapan’s Azan Ismail.
