JOHOR BARU: Umno and Barisan Nasional voters in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections will not sway to Perikatan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also a party vice-president, said he did not see a repeat of what occured in the recent six state elections in the upcoming by-elections.
“In the six state elections, Perikatan kept on harping that the Federal Government would collapse if they won. But, as the people can see, we are still strong.
“So what narrative will be they be playing up in the by-elections. After all, its only one parliamentary seat and one state seat,” he added.
Mohamad Khaled, who is also state Barisan chief, said this after holding a close door meeting with Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan at state Umno headquarters here on Friday (August 18).
Meanwhile, Aminolhuda, who is also the Sri Gading MP, said that it was unlikely for Perikatan, in particular PAS, to gain a foothold in Johor in the by-elections.
“In Johor, the people here have always believed in muafakat (consensus) and practise moderation, which is why some views cannot be accepted here.
“We believed there will be a higher voter turnout in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections, which would be key to us in defending the two seats as we want to get the support from the people,” he added.
Nomination day for the Simpang Jeram state seat and Pulai parliamentary by-elections has been set for Aug 26.
Polling will be on Sept 9 while early voting on Sept 5.
Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was the elected representative for both seats, died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.
Salahuddin was Amanah deputy president and had served as the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
