Mahkota Polls To Serve As Campaign Model For Unity Govt Machinery - Ahmad Zahid

KLUANG, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The upcoming Mahkota state by-election is very significant as it will serve as a model and formula of the Unity Government's campaign machinery in future elections, said Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said that this is the first time since the formation of the Unity Government that all component parties in BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are involved in the Mahkota by-election.

“All political machinery from the Unity Government are present for this by-election in Mahkota. Therefore, the victory that will be achieved here will be a significant one. If more elections are held in the future, this model and formula will be used.

“I am confident that here in Mahkota, all machinery of the Unity Government will demonstrate their solidarity; this is the MADANI government’s machinery. This formula and method will be used in the 16th General Election to ensure we remain in government,” he said during the launch of the BN Machinery and Candidate Introduction Ceremony for the Mahkota by-election here today.

Also present were Johor BN Coordination Committee chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Amanah vice president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and MIC vice president Datuk Dr R. Nelson.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, added that BN's victory in the Nenggiri state by-election last month has provided a renewed spirit for the coalition, demonstrating that they can win even in opposition strongholds.

“We have proven that even though Nenggiri is in an opposition-ruled state and we had previously lost the seat, our commitment allowed us to win convincingly,” he said.

“Insya-Allah, I am also confident that there will be no sabotage against our candidate. The candidate for the Mahkota by-election was chosen from a list of 17 names provided earlier. We have assessed the candidate’s winnability according to the ‘WALI’ criteria (winnable, acceptable and likeable),” he stressed.

Kluang UMNO Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, has been named as the BN candidate for the Mahkota by-election.

The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2 while receiving treatment at Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital here.

Polling is on Sept 28 while nomination on Sept 14 and early voting on Sept 24. 

-- BERNAMA