Photo: Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: The Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election results showed that voters were more focused on having a stable government over the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) given to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over his Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said this while adding that the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional cooperation also proved to be the winning formula for the unity government’s victory in the two by-elections held on Saturday (Sept 9).
“We could see clearly during yesterday’s by-elections how Barisan and Umno provided their utmost support for Pakatan candidates where the machinery was headed by Barisan Johor chairman Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin and Johor MB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
“Their earnestness in helping Pakatan candidates can be seen and this is the winning formula. The results showed that voters put political stability as the main factor when casting their ballots.
“Yesterday’s victory can also be seen as a vote of confidence for the Johor MB and a sign that voters are sick of messy politics,” he said in his speech during the DAP national congress here on Sunday (Sept 10).
Later during a press conference, Loke said Perikatan Nasional’s continuous claim that the pact could take over the Federal Government during every state election and by-election no longer works with voters.
“In fact, it has backfired on them. Voters don’t like hearing narratives about another change of government because no one wants instability.”
Following Saturday’s victory in Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections, Loke pledged to Barisan and Umno that DAP would work hard during the upcoming Pelangai polls to ensure another win for the unity government.
“For the next by-election in Pelangai, it will be our (DAP and Pakatan's) turn to campaign for the BN-Umno candidate.
“Coincidentally, Pelangai is under the Bentong parliamentary constituency and it is held by a DAP MP. We will use our machineries and influence to win the hearts of the voters there.
“We will focus on ensuring a victory for BN-Umno there. Since Pelangai is an Umno stronghold, I have no doubt it will win again there."
On Sept 9, Amanah’s Suhaizan Kayat won the Pulai parliamentary seat with a majority of 18,641 votes while Nazri Abdul Rahman won the Simpang Jeram constituency with a 3,514 majority.
