AN UMNO leader says Perikatan Nasional (PN) will be unable to pull an upset in the Pulai parliamentary using race or religion as southern Johor voters are moderate.
According to UMNO Pulai division chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, despite riding on the “green wave” or tugging at the hearts of Malay voters, the political scenario in southern Johor is not similar to any of the six states in the recently-concluded state polls on Aug 12.
Nur Jazlan said he was the people’s representative in Pulai for three terms and won with over 33,000 majority in the past.
Similarly, the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was the Amanah deputy president, had also won the parliamentary seat with a 20,000 majority.
“Pulai is Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) strong-hold parliamentary seat. The political scenario in southern Johor is not similar to others, voters will not be swayed by religion or race cards nor green wave sentiment used by PN,” Nur Jazlan was reported as saying by New Straits Times.
“I am confident that those who voted for me in the past and also for the late Salahuddin, will cast their voters for PH’s Pulai parliamentary candidate Suhaizan Kaiat.”
Nur Jazlan was speaking at the PH candidates’ introduction ceremony which was held at Thistle Johor Bahru earlier today (Aug 24).
He also pointed out that PN’s strength in Johor revolved only in the northern part of Johor, more specifically in Pagoh via its MP, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Bersatu president.
“Don’t be confused by the six state polls especially with the northern and southern parts of the country. Rumours of a ‘wave’ in Johor supporting PN are merely hearsay peddled by PN,” Nur Jazlan reportedly said.
“In Johor, what Sanusi (Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) says don’t hold water, and Johoreans are moderate and not extreme when it comes to issues of race and religion.”
At the same event, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu expressed confidence of the party retaining the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seat in the Sept 9 by-elections despite any form of “waves”.
Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, said opponents will make outlandish claims to confuse voters, but it was apparent that PH was the people’s choice despite any “waves” that opponents were claiming.
The Agriculture and Food Security minister introduced former Johor assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat as the Pulai candidate, while Nazri Abdul Rahman is contesting in Simpang Jeram.
Both seats were previously held by the late Salahuddin, who was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
Salahuddin passed away on July 23 after suffering brain haemorrhage. He was 61. – Aug 24, 2023
Main pic credit: Info Rakyat
