JOHOR BAHRU – The double victory in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections clearly shows that Umno is a loyal friend despite the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional pact losing seats in the six state elections last month, said Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He also sees this as a sign that the unity government stands to regain support in the next general election if it keeps up its momentum with the people, including efforts to continue developing the country.
“While these are only two by-elections, it is a rejection of extreme politics brought by Perikatan Nasional (PN). Our united front has brought us wins in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
“I would like to thank the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and deputy prime minister (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) who campaigned here several times. This includes other PH and BN leaders.
“Insya-Allah, we are able to achieve more in the next four years,” he told Scoop at a gathering of unity government supporters in Perling here last night.
At the same gathering, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the results showed that all PN’s tactics failed to scare the Malay voters as the PH-BN pact is becoming more acceptable among voters.
“The results are a good sign and a clear message that all the efforts by PN to scare Malay voters are not effective.
“For BN, we will continue to push back against the sentiments played up by PN as it disrupts national harmony that we have worked to maintain.
“The people of Johor have chosen the unity government because they prioritise a government that can bring progress to Malaysia.”
Meanwhile, DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong said Suhaizan Kayat’s victory in Pulai proved that the people of Johor and Malaysia have chosen to reject extreme politics.
Amanah’s Nazri Abdul Rahman won by a bigger margin with a 3,514-vote majority compared to the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in 2022.
His fellow party member, Suhaizan, lost nearly 9,000 votes to PN’s Zulkifli Jaafar despite the 47% voter turnout yesterday. Zulkifli recorded 29,643 votes compared to fellow PN candidate – Gerakan’s Loh Kah Yong – polling 20,677 in last year’s general election.
Suhaizan only polled 48,283 votes compared to Salahuddin’s 64,900 last year.
On the other hand, several unity government leaders took to social media to post their well-wishes.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed his gratitude on his Facebook page to voters and thanked the machinery of all parties which worked hard to ensure the positive outcome.
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli meanwhile said that the wins proved that Malaysians preferred efficient and skilled administration and leadership by voting for the unity government candidates.
“They (people of Johor) have always prioritised development policies in terms of performance and efficiency to govern. Besides the Klang Valley and Penang, Johor is another engine of economic growth for the country,” he said after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Buletin Bernama last night. – September 10, 2023
