Pelangai polls: Unity government has failed to care for people's welfare, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: The unity government has failed to care for the welfare of the people, says Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“It has been 10 months (since they came to power), the shortage of eggs has worsened and now there is a shortage of local rice supply,” he said.

The former prime minister said people are finding it difficult to source food.

“This is differs from Perikatan’s policy, where the people are prioritised and (we ensured) that they always had food on their table,” he added.

He said Perikatan has a proven track record when it comes to fending for the welfare of the people, adding that he hopes voters in the district will choose a candidate who will represent their voices at the Pahang state assembly and serve them well.

Muhyiddin then added that freedom of expression has been curtailed.

“When we raise matters related to the Malays, we are investigated by the police. Media outlets which are critical of the government in their reports are threatened and blocked,” he said.

The Pelangai by-elections will see a three-cornered fight between Barisan’s Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, Kasim Samat for Perikatan and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli, who is using the symbol of a car.

The Pelangai by-election, the first by-election in Pahang after the 15th General Election (GE15), was held following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, in a plane crash in Elmina township in Shah Alam on Aug 17.

In GE15, Johari, who represented Barisan, won with a 4,048-vote majority, defeating Kasim, Ahmed Wafiuddin of Pakatan and Pejuang candidate Isa Ahmad.

Barisan currently controls 16 of the 42 seats in the Pahang assembly while Pakatan holds eight, allowing them to administer the state. Perikatan has 17 seats.