PORT DICKSON: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants both MIC candidates to be made Negri Sembilan executive councillors if both they and the coalition win the state election.
According to Ahmad Zahid, there is a significant composition of Indian voters in the state at 15.4%, which is among the highest in the country.
“When we have a Mentri Besar from Umno, I want two exco members from the Indian community,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, during a programme with the Indian community here on Saturday (July 25).
MIC’s two candidates at the Negri Sembilan polls are A. Achutan (Sri Tanjung) and Datuk Thinalan T. Rajagopalu (Seremban Jaya).
Ahmad Zahid assured that he will always look after Barisan component parties and allies in his capacity as coalition chairman.
“Let’s forgive and forget about what has previously happened. Close this chapter and open the next,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Ahmad Zahid refuted claims that Barisan was only refurbishing its previous manifesto for the current election.
“Between 2004 and 2018, our manifesto has already been mobilised and what we are doing now is to improvise on what is already available.
“We only have one purpose – to pick up where we left off ever since we lacked seats to form the state government in 2018,” he said.
He also said Negri Sembilan can see greater development under Barisan, citing the various industrial and infrastructure developments during Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s tenure as Mentri Besar.
Mohamad, who is fondly known as Tok Mat, served as the Mentri Besar for three terms before Pakatan Harapan wrested the state in 2018.
Ahmad Zahid also said he personally insisted that Tok Mat, state Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and successful Barisan candidates create 50,000 new jobs for the youth at industrial areas in Negri Sembilan.
Negri Sembilan heads to the polls on Aug 1.
