KLUANG: Tackling the high cost of living and serving residents of all communities will be the focus of Perikatan Nasional’s manifesto, which will be announced soon, for the Mahkota by-election, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Perikatan chairman and Bersatu president said the party wants to send a strong message to the constituency’s 66,318 voters that their welfare will be top priority.
The former prime minister said Perikatan could still pull off a victory in this by-election, despite the fact that Barisan had won the seat before with an over 5,000-vote margin.
“Some have said that the voter composition, with 55% being Malay and the rest non-Malay, will present a challenge (to Perikatan) but we are ready to serve all communities.
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“Our election machinery, led by elections director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Johor Perikatan chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, has been engaging with grassroots supporters since last week.
“With our experience in governing at both federal and state levels, we are confident we can deliver significant benefits to the people of Mahkota,” Muhyiddin told reporters at the nomination centre for the by-election at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail here yesterday.
If he wins, Perikatan candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar plans to open an office that will include community leaders from all races to ensure everyone’s concerns are addressed.
“I have great confidence in our candidate, known locally as ‘Coach Haizan’. He has extensive experience in serving the community and promoting sports activities,” Muhyiddin added.Mohamad Haizan, 61, said his primary focus would be on the welfare of Mahkota’s residents.
“If elected as assemblyman, I will prioritise addressing the issues faced by the people here,” he said.The Mahkota seat became vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.
Barisan is banking on Syed Hussien, 40, who is also Kluang Umno Youth chief, to defend the seat.
In an unrelated matter, Muhyiddin said that Perikatan will soon state its official stand on the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between opposition MPs and the unity government on constituency development funds. “Our meetings have found the MOU to be quite unusual and it has presented us with significant challenges”.
