TAPAH: Umno Youth is not boycotting the Ayer Kuning by-election, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, refuting claims that the wing was upset that its candidate of choice was not selected to represent Barisan Nasional.
“God willing, their machinery will fully support Ayer Kuning candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is Barisan chairman and Umno president.
“Mohamad Yusri has attended every meeting held at the state or divisional level,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after the nomination process held at Dewan Merdeka here yesterday.
There had been allegations that Umno Youth was not happy with Barisan’s choice of candidate as the wing’s Perak chapter had proposed one of their own leaders, Fahmi Ahmad Jakhisi.
Barisan’s Mohamad Yusri is facing Perikatan’s Abd Muhaimin Malek and KS Bawani from Parti Sosialis Malaysia in the state seat polls on Apr 26.
Ahmad Zahid added that under a strategy by Perak Barisan chairman and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, the coalition would prioritise small-scale meetings with voters during the campaign.
“I feel that the groundwork that has been carried out by Saarani has already started, and we do not intend to hold large-scale public talks.
“Instead, we prefer to engage and reach out to the voters around Ayer Kuning on a more personal level,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said while the coalition will eschew making grand promises of development, Barisan’s Mohamad Yusri will ensure that the constituency’s infrastructure will be upgraded.
Since Ayer Kuning is located in a rural area, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which he heads, will look into the constituency’s infrastructure development, Ahmad Zahid added.
“We hope that voters in Ayer Kuning will support our candidate, because he has promised me to continue the service legacy that was cultivated by the late Ishsam Shahruddin.
“We have a good candidate who can deliver the best services to the voters and residents of Ayer Kuning,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the coalition is prepared to respond to local and national-level issues that could be raised by Barisan’s rivals during the 14-day campaigning period.
“I don’t see many local issues. They might raise national-level issues, and we are ready to counter all those issues.
“All this might not even be relevant to voters in Ayer Kuning.
“Nevertheless, we still will provide clarification on issues raised by the opposition,” Ahmad Zahid added.
