Umno convinced Gelang Patah voters back with BN

Umno is convinced that the voters in the Gelang Patah parliamentary constituency, who backed the opposition in the last general election in 2013, have switched their support to BN.

According to Gelang Patah Umno chief Mohamad Khairi Malek, constituents feel that incumbent DAP representative Lim Kit Siang did not deliver on the election promises of the opposition, as he was rarely on the ground to meet them and solve their problems.

Kit Siang polled 54,284 votes in the last general election to beat then menteri besar Abdul Ghani Othman by 14,762 votes. Ghani had polled 39,522 votes.

Mohamad Khairi said: “The constituents, regardless of whether they are Chinese or Malay, approach the BN representatives first with their problems. We, from Umno and even MCA and Gerakan, are never reluctant to help them.”

Since 2013, the BN had been working hard to recapture the seat, he told Bernama.

Various programmes had been carried out for the people to regain their confidence in and support for the BN, he said.

These included talks to explain government policies clearly, especially to the Chinese community, to thwart opposition propaganda, he said.

“For example, we explained to them the reasons for the implementation of GST, using simple methods to make them understand, lest they are influenced by the opposition propaganda and blame the prime minister’s leadership,” he said.

Mohamad Khairi also said that for the bumiputeras, Umno last year initiated a programme for entrepreneurs, under which business tools of up to RM500 in value were distributed to small traders to facilitate their business.

The RM100,000 allocated for the programme last year benefited a total of 200 traders, he said, adding that the Gelang Patah Umno had allocated RM80,000 more to benefit 160 more traders.

Mohamad Khairi said Umno had also helped the residents of Kampung Gelang Patah, Kampung Pendas Laut and Kampung Pinggiran obtain land titles.

“So far, 23 residents of Kampung Gelang Patah, 64 residents of Kampung Pendas Laut and 24 residents of Kampung Pinggiran have received their titles.

“These titles are not election candies. They were given out every year to enable the residents to build homes on their own land,” he said.

- Bernama