Mahkota polls: Return to vote, says Zahid

Photo: Bernama

KLUANG: Mahkota voters staying outside Kluang have been urged to come back and cast their votes on polling day, which falls on Sept 28.

Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this comes as half of the 66,318 registered voters are staying not only outside Mahkota, but Kluang as well.

“About 50% of the voters in Mahkota are staying outside the constituency, including at the nearby Mengkibol state seat. There are also some that are staying outside of Kluang including working in Singapore," said Ahmad Zahid.

“We will find a way together with our unity government component parties to asked these particular groups of voters to come back home and cast their votes,” he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this when met during Mahkota by-election nomination centre at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail here on Saturday (Sept 14).

On the campaign, he said that Barisan expected national issues would be touched upon during the two-week campaign period in the by-election.

Ahmad Zahid added that Barisan would not use its confidence as their foundation in the by-election but will continue to work hard to ensure the coalition is able to defend the seat.

“The late Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain had carried out the best service during her time as Mahkota assemblyman. This will make it easier for our candidate to continue her legacy,” he said.

The Mahkota state seat by-election here will see a straight fight between Barisan and Perikatan Nasional.

Barisan is banking on Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah to defend the seat while Perikatan has picked former Johor FA footballer Mohamad Haizan Jaafar as its candidate.

The Mahkota seat became vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Sharifah Azizah, 63, on Aug 2.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the electoral roll for the by-election consists of 66,318 voters, comprising 61,397 ordinary voters, 401 police personnel, 4,510 military personnel and their spouses and 10 absentee voters abroad.

Early voting is scheduled for Sept 24, involving three centres with 11 stations. The main polling day will be on Sept 28, utilising 20 centres and 109 voting stations.