JOHOR BAHRU: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hopes Chinese voters will continue to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its candidate for the Pulai parliamentary by-election, Suhaizan Kaiat, as they supported the previous MP, the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
He said Suhaizan deserved their support as he was a good candidate who would be able to provide the best service for Pulai residents, having served as Salahuddin’s political secretary previously.
“I know the Chinese really supported Salahuddin strongly. I want Suhaizan to also be supported by the Chinese here in Pulai. He used to go against BN, and BN was against him, we were rivals but now we’re allies, so why should we fight? We’re now the unity government.
“Malays, Chinese, Indians along with Sabahans and Sarawakians, he will help us all. I told him, help everyone as we’re colourblind. If there isn’t enough allocations, seek my help,” the deputy prime minister said in his speech when meeting with the Taman Perling Kuan Yin Devotees’ Association at Guan Yin Temple here last night, along with Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong and Pulai Umno division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
He also announced that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had approved an initial allocation of RM500,000 for an additional building for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Poay Chai during the meeting, adding that Liew had submitted an application for allocations of RM4 million for the school’s development.
“Liew informed me that he had asked for a 70 per cent turnout for Chinese voters this Sept 9. Now we’re allies, we want the unity government in Johor and Putrajaya – the strongest governments in Malaysia,” Ahmad Zahid said.
He also promised that BN would continue to support PH to ensure that the government remains stable in terms of economy, education and job opportunities.
There are 166,653 registered voters in the Pulai parliamentary constituency, with 40.46 per cent, or 67,434 Chinese voters.
The Pulai parliamentary by-election is a three-cornered fight between Suhaizan, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Zulkifli Jaafar and Independent Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi. – BERNAMA
