Vengeful Ali Rustam: I won't forget those who stabbed me in the back

Based on Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam's defeat in Bukit Katil at the 13th General Election (GE13) on Sunday, it appears one could conclude that hard work and good deeds need not necessarily ensure victory.

The Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman garnered 40,720 votes, losing on a 5,447-vote majority to Melaka Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (46,167 votes) at the Bukit Katil parliamentary seat.

Like many political analysts, Mohd Ali himself found it difficult to fathom the voting decision which was not in his favour - despite sowing good deeds in Melaka for 13 years.

"I feel very disappointed with the general election result this time, which is not on my side and BN, it was as if BN had not done anything for the people," he said after receiving the result.

Backstabbed

Meanwhile, the Star reported that an upset Mohd Ali had said that he will not forget those who backstabbed him.

I am very disillusioned that the very people whom I have helped by providing business opportunities and caring for their welfare have sabotaged me,” said the former Chief Minister.

Mohd Ali said he was a gentleman in his defeat but he just could not accept how some of his long-time friends broke their promises.

In his 12 years as Chief Minister, Mohd Ali said he had helped the electorate, especially those who needed funds for their programmes.

“Based on the outcome of the election results, I discovered that the areas that had earlier sought our help were the ones which had betrayed me. I am very sad,” he said.

Born in Bukit Katil too

The people know Mohd Ali, who is Bukit Katil-born, as a conscientious and hardworking man; in fact, some dubbed him a 'workaholic' due to his tasks which began in the morning until the next day.

Since his appointment as chief minister on Dec 2, 1999, Mohd Ali had formulated and planned the development of the state, specifically in tourism, through the Melaka Tourism Master Plan which successfully diversified tourism products in the state.

The project to beautify and clean the Melaka River was an example of the success of the plan when more than one million people visited the river last year.

In fact, Melaka which was recognised as a developed state in 2010, was also crowned as among the best must-visit tourism destinations in the world, by the influential The New York Times.

In terms of the people's welfare, numerous initiatives were also implemented, including constructing 6,111 units of houses for the hardcore poor until 2011, at a cost of RM60 million and the distribution of RM84 million to help the less fortunate last year.

Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam also expressed shock with Mohd Ali's defeat as he was regarded as a hardworking leader of the people.

She said Mohd Ali had developed Melaka, specifically the Bukit Katil area from a kampung into something more modern and progressive with all facilities available which benefitted the economy of the residents.

She was of the opinion that new voters, especially the young, who were not aware of the sacrifices of the chief minister, was among factors which led to his defeat.

-- BERNAMA