Port Dickson by-election: Isa's time is over, he should make way, says Rais

PORT DICKSON: Independent candidate in the Port Dickson by-election Tan Sri Isa Samad should give way to better candidates who are able to bring about change in the constituency, says former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

Rais said Isa's time is over and that he should have done the things needed by the people during his 22-year stint as Negri Sembilan mentri besar from 1982 to 2004.

"Objectively speaking in my view, Isa has failed in the realm of what we want to do in the future.

"He is already in his twilight time, and the new MP must have the authority and the finesse to bring up Port Dickson," he told reporters after giving a ceramah here late Wednesday (Oct 10).

.The Oct 13 polls will see a seven-cornered fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS and five independent candidates, including Isa, who was the former Umno strongman of the area.

Rais, who was Negeri Sembilan mentri besar between 1978 and 1982, said voters especially the older generation should not be easily swayed by sentiments alone.

He said they should think of how their elected representative can bring real changes to the area.

"As residents of Port Dickson, can you or can you not rely on Anwar as an MP to bring changes. The answer is yes.

"However, Isa cannot bring that, he had been in power for 22 years."

On a separate matter, Rais, who is Negri Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia head, said he was having a tough time settling the internal issues of the state chapter."Certain trends have developed, but I am positive that we are going to re-organise the interim committees of all eight divisions.

"From Oct 20, we will nominate the leaders of each divisions," he said.

Asked what problems were the party facing, Rais said it was "inactivity, infighting and those who want to become leaders".

"I told them you have to abide by the leadership and discipline yourself.

"We will be seeing between 60-70% of new faces in the interim leadership committee," he said.- Star