SUPPORT for Barisan Nasional (BN) among the voters in the six states involved in this weekend’s (Aug 12) state elections is becoming more obvious, especially in some of the party’s stronghold states, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to the former prime minister, this was based on feedback he had received while campaigning in Negri Sembilan and Terengganu recently.
“I have been to several places, including Negri Sembilan, where I visited two parliamentary constituencies, namely Kuala Pilah and Tampin. I also travelled to Besut, Terengganu.
“It appears that progress is being made. I witnessed open support for BN from place to place that I went, even if in certain states it appeared that the rival party was so strong, but when I went, the response was really positive.
“So, I think this is a indication to whom the vote will be given to on August 12,” Ismail Sabri was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia at Felda Sungai Kelamah, Negri Sembilan last night (Aug 7).
Ismail was accompanied by Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa and BN Gemenceh state seat candidate Suhaimizan Bizar.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Bera MP said, it is difficult to expect the same wave of support that BN had received during the 15th General Election (GE15) to also occur in this weekend’s (Aug 12) state election.
“I may not have visited all of the states, but in the areas that I visited such as Felda Sungai Kelamah, the reception was lively and the response to BN was very positive.”
“This, as well as Besut, are UMNO strongholds. So, it was a promising response, and I hope the response in other locations will be the same,” he remarked.
Caretaker Negri Sembilan menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun also echoed Ismail Sabri’s statement that Malay support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN in Negri Sembilan has been on the uptrend since April.
In contrast to Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) claims that it is gaining more support from Malay voters, Aminuddin stated that a recent poll revealed that the PH-BN alliance was preferred by the majority of Malays in the state.
“Compared to a survey done in April, Malay support for BN and PH has been increasing. Findings up until two days ago showed that more than half the Malay voters are with the unity government.
“This is a good indication, and we will continue to explain to them what our plans are for the state,” the Port Dickson MP said.
When asked which of the six seats the party was defending in the state required greater focus with only four days of campaigning left, Aminuddin, who is also PKR vice president said the party machinery and its allies were going all out to attract voters in all six state seats, including Sikamat, where he is seeking a fourth term.
Sikamat, Pilah, Labu, Chuah, Sri Tanjung and Ampangan were among the state seats won by PKR in the 2018 state elections.
“We have been working hard and will continue to do so till the last day of campaigning because we want to make sure we will win.
“We have also been explaining the provisions in our joint manifesto so that the voters will know that we are committed to looking after them and the state,” he said. – Aug 8, 2023
Main pic credit: The Star
