VIDEO | 7.14min
A newcomer representing BN in the Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency has urged Indian voters to be patient with the government in solving the longstanding issue of stateless Indians as the government does not want to create another Sabah.
Linking the stateless Indian issue with the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah, Normala Abdul Samad explained that the government should learn from the lesson in Sabah and be cautious in handing out citizenship to Indians.
"Our country was polluted to the extent of bringing hardship to the people of Sabah," Normala told some 20 Indian voters during a Tamil New Year celebration in Kempas, Johor, last night.
Interviewed by KiniTV later, she refused to elaborate on the matter.
"It (influx of immigrants) is something that happened in Sabah. We are just trying... I think that the government is being more cautious. That's all, whatever happened in Sabah is a lesson to us," Normala explained.
Umno picked this newcomer for the Pasir Gudang seat after incumbent MP Khaled Nordin was moved to the Permas state seat to pave way for him to succeed Abdul Ghani Othman as the next menteri besar of Johor.
Indians play a crucial role in the constituency as they make up 11 percent of the voters.
Pakatan Rakyat has been using the longstanding problem of stateless Indians to garner the support of the Indians, claiming there are between 200,000 and 300,000 Indians in the country who are without citizenship papers.
A newcomer representing BN in the Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency has urged Indian voters to be patient with the government in solving the longstanding issue of stateless Indians as the government does not want to create another Sabah.
Linking the stateless Indian issue with the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah, Normala Abdul Samad explained that the government should learn from the lesson in Sabah and be cautious in handing out citizenship to Indians.
"Our country was polluted to the extent of bringing hardship to the people of Sabah," Normala told some 20 Indian voters during a Tamil New Year celebration in Kempas, Johor, last night.
Interviewed by KiniTV later, she refused to elaborate on the matter.
"It (influx of immigrants) is something that happened in Sabah. We are just trying... I think that the government is being more cautious. That's all, whatever happened in Sabah is a lesson to us," Normala explained.
Umno picked this newcomer for the Pasir Gudang seat after incumbent MP Khaled Nordin was moved to the Permas state seat to pave way for him to succeed Abdul Ghani Othman as the next menteri besar of Johor.
Indians play a crucial role in the constituency as they make up 11 percent of the voters.
Pakatan Rakyat has been using the longstanding problem of stateless Indians to garner the support of the Indians, claiming there are between 200,000 and 300,000 Indians in the country who are without citizenship papers.
Ex-human resources manager
However the government has denied this, saying that the number is exaggerated.
Normala, a former human resources manager with a US company based in Pasir Gudang before quitting to contest the general election, faces Ahmad Faidhi Saidi of the PKR.
However during the KiniTV interview, she mistakenly stated that her rival is one "Dr Suandi" of the PKR, who was 'parachuted' from Simpang Rengam, Johor.
"I think I have many advantages. They (voters) know me. Many people in Pasir Gudang know me. I am a local," stressed the Pasir Gudang Umno division Wanita chief.
Asked about disgruntlement over her candidacy among some in the Umno grassroots, Normala said it was just "a normal human thing", which would not go to the extent of not voting for BN in the coming election.
Normala, a former human resources manager with a US company based in Pasir Gudang before quitting to contest the general election, faces Ahmad Faidhi Saidi of the PKR.
However during the KiniTV interview, she mistakenly stated that her rival is one "Dr Suandi" of the PKR, who was 'parachuted' from Simpang Rengam, Johor.
"I think I have many advantages. They (voters) know me. Many people in Pasir Gudang know me. I am a local," stressed the Pasir Gudang Umno division Wanita chief.
Asked about disgruntlement over her candidacy among some in the Umno grassroots, Normala said it was just "a normal human thing", which would not go to the extent of not voting for BN in the coming election.
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