PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail tonight unveiled Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the parliamentary seat of Langkawi.
“With pride and prayer that victory will be on our side, I announce Mahathir as the candidate for Langkawi,” she told more than 5,000 people who turned up at Harapan’s ceramah on the island tonight.
Earlier, Mahathir had announced Bersatu’s list of candidates for state and parliamentary seats in Kedah, but left out Langkawi.
The puzzled crowd then shouted “Langkawi! Langkawi!” as Mahathir returned to his seat.
Later, Wan Azizah took the stage, stating that Mahathir had always shared an affinity with Langkawi, where he first served as a doctor.
“Anwar Ibrahim used to tell me that Mahathir had a sentimental feeling about Langkawi as it was here where he first served as a government doctor,” he said.
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She then went on to detail Mahathir’s continued contribution to Langkawi even after he became prime minister before finally announcing him as the candidate as the crowd cheered wildly.
Mahathir is also Pakatan Harapan chairperson while Wan Azizah is the coalition’s president.
Prior to that, Mahathir unveiled five of Bersatu’s parliamentary candidates in Kedah.
They are Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu), Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Pendang), Taufik Yaakob (Baling) and Akramshah Sanusi (Jerai).
Earlier, Mahathir received a rock star welcome as soon as he arrived at 9.07pm. People rushed to take photographs with him.
In his speech, Mahathir took aim at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“Najib came and gave a lot of money to the people of Langkawi. But these people gave the money to us to fight Najib. Padan muka (serves him right).
“Najib’s strategy does not work because Langkawi people may take your money but won’t support you (government),” he said. – MKINI
HOWEVER DESPITE THEIR OWN PIC SHOWING A HUGE CROWD, PRO-BN MEDIA THE MALAY MAIL REPORTED:
In Langkawi, lukewarm response greets Dr M amid rumours of candidacy announcement
LANGKAWI — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived tonight at a small, open field in Padang Matsirat, just a stone’s throw away from Langkawi Airport.
It is a far cry from his days in Umno and Barisan Nasional, where each official visit would usually be greeted with pomp and pageantry.
Yet the 92-year-old nonagenarian seemed more determined than ever to go on an election stump for Pakatan Harapan, made up of new friends he once called enemies back when he was prime minister.
Dr Mahathir arrived to light applause from an audience of approximately 800 people, despite rumours that he would be announcing his candidacy for the Langkawi parliamentary seat later tonight.
The lukewarm response so far may deter some PH leaders from placing too much hope on Dr Mahathir leading the charge for Langkawi, and by extension Kedah but for the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, there is no turning back.
Also present were Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and Parti Amanah Negara Mohamad Sabu.
The stakes are indeed very high for Dr Mahathir. If he wins it is a sign that he is still accepted by the people of Langkawi, who he had helped to uplift economically in 1987 when he declared the island status as free port.
Dr Mahathir was reportedly the first Malay medical doctor that oversaw healthcare in Langkawi in 1954 when he worked as a medical officer at the Alor Setar General Hospital.
It is understood Dr Mahathir’s contribution to the island’s development started as early as 1960s when he helped establish an extensive ferry service.
In 1980, as deputy prime minister, he was instrumental in the construction of the Kuah jetty and expanded the ferry services. The initiative opened up the island to more people and Langkawi quickly developed as a popular tourism spot.
This paved way for rapid development and by then, the island had modern roads and amenities that included its own public hospital. Today, the island also has its own airport and boasts a cable-car service for tourists.
In 1987, Dr Mahathir as prime minister declared Langkawi a tax-free zone, a move that brought in billions of tourist money into the island and made it among the country’s most popular vacation and shopping spots. – MALAY MAIL
Dr M to contest Langkawi seat, Mukhriz for Jerlun and Jitra
LANGKAWI — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be contesting the Langkawi parliamentary seat in GE14 and his candidacy was confirmed tonight by none other than Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Besides Dr Mahathir, his son — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir — will be contesting both the Jerlun parliamentary seat and the Jitra state assembly seat.
“I proudly announce the candidate for Langkawi… Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad!” PKR president Dr Wan Azizah said during the end of a high-profile ceramah here tonight to cheers from more than 2,000 attendees.
Although the event started out with less than a 1,000 people, the crowd quickly grew as senior Pakatan Harapan leaders took turns to speak.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan, PPBM’s strategy and policy bureau deputy chairman will be contesting the Pendang parliamentary seat, while PPBM supreme council member Akramsyah Sanusi will be contesting the Jerai parliamentary seat.
Former PAS leader-turned-PPBM member Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah will contest the Kubang Pasu parliamentary seat, as well as the Anak Bukit state seat. He is the incumbent state assemblyman. – MALAY MAIL
MKINI / MALAY MAIL
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