GUA MUSANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made a final push in the Nenggiri state by-election campaign, on Friday, by visiting all five Orang Asli posts in the constituency.
He also expressed confidence that the over 2,700 Orang Asli voters in the state will support Barisan Nasional's candidate, Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, on polling day on Friday (Aug 16).
"I received various reports in the early stages, but seeing it for myself at the Orang Asli posts made a significant difference,” he said.
"Having witnessed (the response) firsthand, I am confident that, despite the opponent's threats and various offers, the will of the Orang Asli voters remains strong,” he told reporters during a gathering with the Orang Asli community of Pos Pulat, here, on Friday.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, visited four other Orang Asli posts in the Nenggiri state constituency: Pos Gob, Pos Tohoi, Pos Simpor, and Pos Pasik.
He also expressed confidence that Barisan can recapture the Nenggiri state seat, which the party previously held for four terms since 2004, and only lost in the Kelantan State Election in August last year.
"Given the hard work of the party machinery at all levels, I am hopeful that tomorrow (Saturday, Aug 17) will bring a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
He added that he had campaigned six times during the by-election, to motivate the party machinery and ensure the Barisan candidate’s victory.
"I have never been involved in a by-election as frequently as this one... I had to focus on micro-targeting voters in 20 district voting centres,” he said.
He also urged the more than 20,000 voters to come out and fulfil their responsibility to elect their representatives on Friday, aiming for a higher voter turnout.
Ahmad Zahid hoped that significant changes could be achieved in this by-election, by securing a victory for Mohd Azmawi Fikri. This would increase the number of Unity Government representatives in the state assembly, where there are currently only two.
"I hope that we can add another state assemblyman, to create a stronger presence, and bring about change through our three representatives in the Kelantan state assembly,” he said.
The by-election is witnessing a straight fight between Mohd Azmawi Fikri, representing the Unity Government, and PAS candidate, Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, representing Perikatan Nasional.
The by-election has been called as the seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, on June 19, after Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
In the state elections last year, Mohd Azizi, who contested using the PAS logo, defeated Barisan candidate, Ab Aziz Yusoff, with a majority of 810 votes. - Bernama
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