As new state DAP chief, Zaid reaches out to fellow villagers in Kelantan

Zaid Ibrahim, the newly-minted Kelantan DAP chief Zaid Ibrahim, yesterday took his political message to his home village of Kampung Chap, Bachok.

Choosing to reach out to family, friends and fellow villagers in his first foray there as the state DAP chief, Zaid urged them to reject hate politics and racism.

"At this stage, it is appropriate for me to explain and the best place to do so is my own village, with relatives and friends," he said.

At the ceramah attended by some 100 people, he sought to explain his take of the current political situation in the PAS stronghold state of Kelantan.

"I take the responsibility to explain to the Kelantanese, considering the unhealthy political situation.

"There are those who are anti-Chinese, anti-Malay, anti-Indian, this kind of politics is unhealthy.

"If our country continues on this path, how are we going to advance? How are we to focus on development and education. Malaysian politics must be healthy," he said.

Zahid said that Kelantan had been an opposition state during BN's era at the federal level and remained as one despite a change of government in Putrajaya.

"As an opposition state, there is less allocation," he said, peppering his speech with the Kelantanese dialect.

Zaid said there needs to be a shift of mindset in Kelantan.

"Therefore, I would like to ask Kelantanese to cultivate a good relationship with the federal government, which is represented by parties comprising all races.

"I will help out - if there is anything that is needed. With your support, I can meet the ministers to ask for their help," he said.

Zaid was earlier this month appointed as the Kelantan DAP chief.

DAP has a limited presence in Kelantan and did not contest any seats in the state during the last general election.

However, it has tried to make some inroads in the state following the 2018 general election. - Mkini