KOTA TINGGI: Umno will focus their Ayer Kuning by-election campaign on issues of development and welfare, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Umno vice-president said the party would address how there was cooperation in the formation of the unity government, including in Perak, and focus will be given to matters related to the development and welfare of the people.
"We will raise the issue where the public needs to understand the challenges faced by the government, including those coming from external factors such as the US tariffs.
"As for other issues, we will see what the Opposition brings up. Surely, they will seize this opportunity to say that everything the government does is wrong," he said.
He also stressed that the Putra Heights tragedy should not be used as political ammunition against the unity government during the upcoming by-election in Perak.
The Defence Minister stated that disasters and accidents were unpredictable and cannot be entirely prevented.
"The issue of the Putra Heights tragedy is not about the mistakes or weaknesses of the unity government, this is a disaster.
"It is also not something that happens frequently. The cause is being identified, and we must strive to understand this matter fairly," he said during the Kota Tinggi parliamentary Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Dewan Sultan Ibrahim on Monday (April 7).
The Kota Tinggi MP urged the public to evaluate issues wisely and not be swayed by narratives that politicise tragedies.
"If that is the case, should every road accident or flood become an issue to attack the government? These are matters that happen unexpectedly and beyond control," he said.
He added that a mature approach should be used in addressing disasters, rather than pointing fingers without solid evidence.
"If such an incident occurred in another state like Kedah, would the unity government use it to attack the state administration? Of course not," he said.
The gas pipeline fire that occurred last Tuesday in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, resulted in flames reaching over 30 meters high with temperatures soaring to 1,000 degrees Celsius, taking nearly eight hours to be fully extinguished.
A total of 148 houses were affected but are still habitable after repairs, while 87 houses were severely damaged and are uninhabitable.
The Election Commission (EC) has set the voting date for the Ayer Kuning by-election on April 26, with Nomination Day and early voting on April 12 and 22, respectively.
The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22 due to a heart attack after participating in a football tournament at the City Stadium in George Town, Penang.
In the 15th General Election (GE15), Ishsam, who was also the Umno Tapah division chief, won with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.
