Don't be influenced by political sentiments, Khaled tells Johor voters

JOHOR POLLS | Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin has reminded voters in the state not to be influenced by political games based on sentiments in the Johor state election, which he said could make or break a political party.

Interviewed by Bernama TV on the Suara Johor programme recently, the former Johor menteri besar said, the BN defeat during the 14th general election was proof that sentiments could change voters’ perception towards a political party.

He said Umno’s hardcore voters could also be influenced by slanders and accusations hurled against the party, adding that enticing promises could also sway these voters.

“At that time, voters cast their ballots according to sentiments, that's why there were voters who did not go out to vote or chose other parties which caused BN to lose," he said.

Khaled (above) said opposition parties used sentiments to create hatred towards BN and Umno leaders.

He said this hatred forced the people to reject BN and to cast their votes in support of other parties, as long as it was not BN.

“But they (opposition parties) did not have any plans… only when they have won that they started to think what to do.

"We ask the people not to repeat the same mistakes, (and) I want to remind the people that they have been promised so many things, but we all know it is all false promises," he said.

In the GE14, BN lost its stronghold state of Johor for the first time since its establishment, winning only 19 of the 56 seats contested, while Pakatan Harapan had won 36 state seats and went on to form a new state government.

Mood of young voters

Khaled, who is not contesting in the upcoming state polls, said BN election machinery is facing difficulty to predict the mood of new and young voters.

“There is no denying that the number of young voters is huge. No one knows what will happen with the participation of these young voters,” he said.

"We do not know if the people will give the mandate to us (BN) (in the state election), we hope voters, including young voters, can think from the long-term aspect and what is best for them when choosing their leaders," he said.

The Johor polls will see the participation of 18-year-old voters for the first time in an election through the implementation of the Undi-18 initiative.

The Election Commission set polling day on March 12 and early voting on March 8.

- Bernama