PORT DICKSON: Contesting in a stronghold of rivals is not an easy feat and hard work is needed to achieve victory, says caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Aminuddin, who is contesting the Linggi seat for Pakatan Harapan, said he was not running from Sikamat where he was an elected representative for four consecutive terms.
“I have also served the people of Linggi in my capacity as Port Dickson MP but I am not resting on my laurels.
“I left (Sikamat) which has been a rather comfortable contest because Pakatan needs more seats to secure a strong mandate to lead the state.
“The contest in Linggi is also not just against the candidate but the opponent’s machinery,” he said when met after the nomination process here on Saturday (July 18).
Aminuddin described his chances as still being “50-50” noting that Linggi is a Barisan stronghold.
The Linggi seat has been held by Barisan, specifically Umno, since 1974.
Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Isa Abdul Samad held the Linggi seat from 1978 to 2004 and the seat has remained under Barisan.
He also said his opponent from Barisan - Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli - also holds an advantage as the latter is the incumbent.
“I have my advantages and he does too. We leave it to the rakyat to decide,” he said.
The contest for the Linggi state seat will see a three-cornered contest.
Besides Aminuddin and Mohd Faizal, Bersatu’s Datuk Zamri Md Said is also contesting the seat.
At the 2023 Negri Sembilan polls, Mohd Faizal won with a majority of 1,461 votes.
