Thanks for the support: Suhaizan serving food at the appreciation lunch for voters in Taman Bukit Indah, Johor. (Inset) Iskandar Zulkarnain.
JOHOR BARU: Iskandar Zulkarnain Salahuddin said his late father Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub would have been proud of the victory of his “student” Suhaizan Kayat in the Pulai by-election.
Despite the voter turnout of just around 47%, Salahuddin’s eldest son said Suhaizan managed to capture more than 18,000 votes, which he said was excellent.
“When my father first contested in Pulai years ago, he did not win. He tried contesting again before he found victory.
“If ayah (father) were still here, he would have been proud of Suhaizan for managing to defend the seat,” he said when met during an appreciation lunch for voters and supporters in Taman Bukit Indah here yesterday.
Iskandar Zulkarnain, 37, who runs his own business, said his father was quite close with Suhaizan, who is Johor Amanah vice-chairman.
He believed Suhaizan, 50, would be able to follow in his father’s footsteps and carry on his legacy for the benefit of the constituents.
Meanwhile, Suhaizan said he had already received more than 30 requests and letters from voters asking for assistance the day after his victory.
“My team and I recorded requests from the people during the two weeks of campaigning. Some of the requests included asking for new mosques and repair funds for non-Muslim houses of worship.
“Others wanted a new Tamil school to be built here.
“As an MP, I will face many challenges in serving the people, but I must be responsible to all constituents as their elected representative,” said Suhaizan, who is the former Johor state assembly speaker.
The voter turnout in Pulai was 47.33%, and 60.85% in Simpang Jeram.
