PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional is confident of defending the Pelangai state seat despite attempts by its detractors to “poison” the minds of the locals, says Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister urged the Barisan machinery to maintain its momentum in winning the hearts and minds of voters.
“God willing, we will defend Pelangai because we are confident that the voters are close to Barisan.
“They want an effective service from an assemblyman who is in sync with both the state and federal governments,” he told reporters after his speech at the MyFuture Jobs Career Carnival at Felda Chemomoi, Bentong, which was also aired live on his Facebook page yesterday.
“Leaders are responsible for ensuring peace and stability instead of creating hatred.
“Therefore, Malaysians should not entertain the antagonistic values espoused by the Opposition during the by-election.
“The Opposition is promoting hatred among the rakyat and spreading antagonism. We want this by-election to be an affair that is resolved by its own people.
“We want Pahang to be peaceful, Bentong to be stable, and Pelangai to be represented by the best person that we have,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid said Umno could not continue its friendship with PAS under the Muafakat Nasional concept due to the Islamist party’s disloyalty.
“PAS prefers temporary arrangements for short-term political goals, and the party’s views are different from what Umno is looking for in a political relationship.
“We tried to be with them but clearly they are the kind of political party that prefers to get into a ‘mutaah marriage’ (a temporary marriage) only to fulfil their political lust.
“After having the ‘pleasure’ (nikmat), habis madu sepah dibuang (the husk is thrown once the honey is finished).
“That’s why PAS is doing contract marriage but we don’t want that,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid also took a swipe against Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for spending more time in Pelangai instead of helping flood victims in his home state.
He said Muhammad Sanusi should be doing something to help more than 400 families who were affected by the floods in his state.
“I know someone has been here for a while now although his state is facing floods.
“It’ll be better if that person goes back home and face the floods there by helping those affected.
“Don’t be so busy in other people’s areas. Take care of your own people,” he said.
The number of flood victims in Kedah stood at 1,383 from 420 families as at 8am yesterday, according to Kedah Civil Defence Force disaster management secretariat chief Mejar (PA) Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain.
The victims have been housed at 12 relief centres in four affected districts, namely Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena and Baling.
