State polls: KJ campaigns for Barisan's Reezal Merican in Penang

KEPALA BATAS: Former Cabinet minister Khairy Jamaluddin made an appearance here Thursday (Aug 10) to campaign for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Khairy, dressed in a light blue batik shirt, caused a minor traffic jam as he got out of his car in front of Kompleks Kuala Batas here, when he was welcomed by Reezal Merican.

The two then proceeded on a walkabout near the old Kepala Batas town along with their entourage.

Several locals were seen taking selfies with Khairy, popularly known as KJ, who is now a radio announcer and has his own weekly podcast.

When met with reporters, Khairy said that "one vote Reezal is one vote for Reezal, not one for Zahid (Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)."

Reezal Merican is contesting the Bertam state seat which is under the Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency, where KJ's father-in-law Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi served as MP from 1978 to 2013.

Abdullah, 83, was the fifth Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009.

Several locals who spoke to The Star said they recognised Khairy and Reezal Merican and appeared to be set on their choice at the polls on Saturday (Aug 12).

Reezal Merican will be contesting against Perikatan Nasional incumbent Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq.

On Aug 9, Khairy, Umno's former Youth chief, went down to the ground in Selangor to support the campaign of Perikatan's Jeram candidate Datuk Harrison Hassan.

Harrison, the former Sungai Buloh Umno division deputy chief, had his membership automatically revoked after he announced that he would be contesting in Jeram on Perikatan's ticket.

Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will have their state elections on Saturday, along with the parliamentary by-election for Kuala Terengganu.