Rafiq undeterred at being bypassed as PN's CM candidate

MALACCA POLLS | Malacca’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said not being nominated as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate has not deterred his campaign in Telok Mas.

Rafiq, who is also Bersatu vice-president and state PN chairperson, said he respected the decision made by the coalition's central leadership and will support their decision to name the party's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin as the Malacca chief ministerial candidate.

"Since yesterday, after I was called or after I got to know about the central leadership's decision, I still continued to campaign in Telok Mas.

"My focus as a PN candidate has not wavered, my schedule is still tight until tonight," Rafiq (above) told journalists after a visit to Masjid Ah Khiriah in Telok Mas.

PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Bersatu president, was also present to assist Rafiq in the campaign.

Rafiq dismissed suggestions that he was bypassed as there were those within Bersatu who did not want to see him in the top position. "I think that's just speculation," he said.

"As a party member and leader, everyone must respect the decision made by the central leadership, Bersatu political bureau and the PN supreme council.

"I asked that our machinery works hard and ensures victory for all our candidates in all seats," he said.

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin

Rafiq also dismissed DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's suggestion that being bypassed as the chief minister puts him at a disadvantage in Telok Mas.

"That's Guan Eng's personal opinion. I don't want to comment on what basis he made the comment.

"For me, I've gone down to the grassroots, I've indirectly met voters at mosques and warung (stalls).

"The support for PN in Telok Mas is very good, very positive. I'm confident that it'll be translated into support (votes) tomorrow," he said.

Malaccans will elect 28 representatives to the state assembly tomorrow.

In Telok Mas, Rafiq is facing Harapan's Ashraf Minghat, BN's Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman and independent candidate Ariff Adly.

The seat was won by Bersatu in the last general election but its incumbent, Noor Effandi Ahmad, was sacked after going rogue. He has since endorsed the Harapan candidate.

Telok Mas comprises a population of 74 percent Malay, 24 percent Chinese and two percent Indian. - Mkini