Hamzah: BN can remain in denial over rising support for PN

PULAI BY-ELECTION | Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin today said BN can remain in denial over a rising wave of support towards Perikatan Nasional, including in Johor.

Speaking to reporters outside the nomination centre for P161 Pulai, Hamzah said BN is free to claim that PN is being "self-indulgent" on its level of support.

"They can say we are self-indulgent, but that is the denial syndrome among them.

"Even in the last (six) state elections they said we were self-indulgent, so that's just words out of their mouths," he said.

In the 15th general election, PN fielded Gerakan's Loh Kah Yong in a three-cornered contest for Pulai, up against the late incumbent Salahuddin Ayub from Pakatan Harapan and Pulai Umno division chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed from BN.

This time, Hamzah and other PN leaders from Bersatu and PAS accompanied their candidate, Pulai Bersatu deputy division chief Zulkifli Jaafar to submit his candidacy officially at Dewan Jubli Intan, Johor Bahru.

PN candidate for Pulai, Zulkifli Jaafar

Asked whether PN had changed its strategy by fielding a candidate from Bersatu instead of Gerakan, Hamzah said: "No. This just proves we are a party that sees the needs of the people.

"If people think that at this time, we need a particular type of candidate, then we will field that kind of candidate.

"It is not about the party," he stressed.

Zulkifli’s focus

In the recent six state elections, Gerakan won only one seat out of 36 seats it contested under PN, from its previous status of having zero seats.

Hamzah said Zulkifli's background as an activist will give him an edge to help the people.

Met by reporters after the official candidates’ announcement, Zulkifli said among his main issues to be raised include the people's economy and welfare.

"I'll focus on meeting the people. I have an advantage because I know the people here and I often meet them," he said.

Pulai candidates (from left): Harapan’s Suhaizan Kaiat, independent Samsudin Mohd Fauzi, and PN’s Zulkifli Jaafar

Separately, independent candidate Samsudin Mohd Fauzi, who in the last 15th general election contested and lost as an independent in Putrajaya, said he would continue raising issues faced by civil servants.

He said their grouses include alleged failure by the government to assist "victims" of licensed moneylenders.

Polling day for Pulai and Simpang Jeram will be held on Sept 9. - Mkini