Zahid: Barisan should not be complacent in Pelangai

Security first: Policemen placing barricades outside the nomination centre at the Felda Kemasul Community Hall in Bentong. — Bernama

BENTONG: Barisan Nasional should not be complacent and overconfident in retaining the Pelangai seat, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Barisan chairman said the coalition’s machinery must work hard and take extraordinary measures to win voters’ support in defending the Barisan stronghold.

“Even though on paper we already have a majority of over 4,000 votes through the late Datuk Seri Johari Harun and over 2,000 through the Pakatan Harapan candidate in the 15th General Election, we cannot take things for granted.

“Our opponents are taking the approach of giving ceramah in small groups, so we need to outdo them by increasing voter engagement.

“We must meet the voters face-to-face,” he said after accompanying Barisan’s candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam to the nomination centre at Felda Kemasul Community Hall here yesterday, Bernama reported.

In GE15, Johari who represented Barisan, won with a 4,048- vote majority when he secured 7,308 votes to defeat Perikatan Nasional candidate Kasim Samat (3,260), Ahmed Wafiuddin from Pakatan Harapan (2,031) and Pejuang candidate Isa Ahmad (65).

In thanking all friends in the unity government for their support to the Barisan candidate, Ahmad Zahid said he was confident that Amizar would be able to continue the legacy of the incumbent.

“Our candidate is popular among the locals. He is also from a Felda family. I believe he will be able to continue the services that Johari had provided,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail would lead the Barisan machinery, following his appointment as coalition director for the Pelangai by-election.

The by-election will see a three-cornered battle between Amizar, Kasim and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.

Ahmad Zahid also said Haslihelmy had been stripped of his Bentong Umno Youth membership for contesting as an Independent.

Separately, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the MCA machinery has a great challenge ahead in getting voters to come out and exercise their rights.

“We will have to encourage as many voters as possible.

“I am confident that the voters in Pelangai, especially the Chinese, will continue to support the Barisan candidate.

“I am also grateful to all grassroots members who had taken time to accompany the Barisan candidate during the nomination process and the opening of the MCA operations room,” he said in a Facebook post.

Dr Wee accompanied Amizar to the nomination centre in the morning.

He then inaugurated the MCA operations room to allow the entire Bentong MCA division machinery to carry out work and campaign for Amizar to retain the seat.

Present during the ceremony were Pahang MCA chairman Datuk Seri Hoh Khai Mun, Bentong MCA division chairman Datuk Kang Meng Fuat, Pahang MCA Youth leaders Wong Siew Mun and Wong Tze Shiang.