BARISAN Nasional (BN) has lost its influence and power in major cities, especially in the BN stronghold state of Pahang, said a PAS leader.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said it does not add up for the people to still vote for the ruling party’s candidate to continue the development programme in their area yet place their trust in and support Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“The actions of the voters are a clear manifestation that the people are rejecting BN and this situation can be observed in several major cities in Pahang, including Kuantan, Temerloh and Jerantut, which are now under the control of PN rather than BN,” Tuan Ibrahim said during a speech at the Pelangai Public Ceramah in Felda Chemomoi last night (Sept 24).
“Today, if you look at the major cities, all the opposition parties are winning. BN has lost its influence and power in major cities. Even in Kuantan, PN won. In Temerloh, PN won. Where else? Even Jerantut PN won despite this being an area of development.
“Logically, in major cities, the ruling party should win because voters want development. But it’s not happening that way. This is because the urbanites no longer accept BN. They’ve rejected BN,” the Kubang Kerian MP said.
According to Tuan Ibrahim, the evidence of PN gaining support can be seen from the three state governed by PAS, where statistics shows that the majority of votes obtained by all three PAS menteris besar (MBs) increased significantly in the 15th General Election (GE15) as compared to the 14th General Election (GE14).
“Former Kelantan menteri besar (Datuk Ahmad Yakob) contested in the Pasir Pekan state election in GE14 and obtained a majority of 8,352 votes. Later in GE15, he obtained a majority of 12,811…a significant increase.
“Terengganu MB Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar…in GE14, he obtained a majority of 6,028 votes. Then in GE15, he obtained a majority of 17,295 votes. If his performance wasn’t good, he wouldn’t have received as many votes by many folds over.
“Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who raised one hand. If he raised both hands, who knows what would have happened. In GE14, he obtained a majority of 2,455 votes. This time in GE15, he obtained 16,050 votes,” the Cheka assemblyman said.
Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said two MBs and one chief minister in Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led states experienced a decline in terms of majority votes.
“Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who contested in the Padang Kota state election obtained a majority of 7,808 votes in GE14. But in GE15, he obtained 7,116 votes. His majority decreased.
“Negri Sembilan MB Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun obtained a majority of 3,413 votes in GE14, and in GE15, he obtained 2,662 votes. Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari obtained 11,374 votes in GE14. This time, he obtained 5,185 votes.
“Based on the presented data, it demonstrates how the people’s support for PN has not wavered, as evidenced by a sudden increase in support through votes in the previous elections,” Tuan Ibrahim further remarked.
The by-election for the Pelangai state seat will see a three-cornered fight come Oct 7 with early voting on Oct 3.
The by-election is being held following the death of UMNO assemblyman and Pahang exco member Johari Harun in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on Aug 17.
In GE15, Johari won with a majority of 4,048 votes, defeating PN’s Kasim Samat, PH’s Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri and Isa Ahmad of Pejuang.
Currently, PN holds 17 seats in the 42-member state assembly, while BN has 17 and leads the state unity government with the support of the eight assemblymen from PH. A simple majority of 22 seats is needed to form the state government. – Sept 25, 2023
Main pic credit: Harakah Daily
