Amizar: The advice from Johari is what spurred me to serve the people here. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The message from the late incumbent assemblyman Datuk Seri Johari Harun has served as a source of motivation for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam in the Pelangai by-election.
“Zar, it is important for you to get to know the people of Pelangai and for them to know who you are.
“You must truly understand Pelangai,” Amizar recalled a recent conservation he has had with Johari before his tragic death in a plane crash in August.
Amizar said the advice from Johari was what spurred him to continue the struggles and serve the people here.
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“Those words also serve as a source of strength and motivation for me to continue upholding Barisan’s longstanding history in Pelangai,” he told Bernama yesterday.
On Aug 17, Johari, 53, was killed in a plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam, Selangor, triggering a by-election.
Amizar, 50, said he had a close relationship with Johari and that they frequently met with the last meeting taking place about three or four weeks before the plane crash.
“Every time we met, he would talk about Pelangai. He loved the constituency and was determined to make Pelangai a great place to live in. He had many plans.
“He discussed, shared and sought my views on these plans for improvements.
“So, indirectly, I am quite familiar with the blueprint that he had left behind. Now is the time and opportunity for me to continue and realise them,” he said.
Amizar said one of Johari’s plans was to ensure the realisation of the Lingkaran Tengah Utara (LTU) Expressway route from Karak to Simpang Pelangai, which could have a great economic spillover.
The LTU Expressway, formerly known as the Central Spine Road, is currently under construction and will connect Kuala Krai, Kelantan, to the East Coast Expressway interchange in Bentong.
It is expected to be fully completed in 2026.
In May, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Public Works Department was in the process of designing the alignment for the LTU project from Karak to Simpang Pelangai.
Amizar said both Johari and he were mentored by former Pahang mentri besar Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob, who also held the state seat previously.
The Oct 7 by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Amizar, Kasim Samat from Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.
