Pahang MB: Rakyat will lose out if PN wins Pelangai

PELANGAI BY-ELECTION | The people of Pelangai will lose out if they choose Perikatan Nasional candidate as their assemblyperson, according to Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

Speaking to reporters, he said the state ruling coalition would not be affected as much as the rakyat if the seat goes to the opposition.

"There won't be any effect (to us), but God forbid this from happening. We hope that we will win in Pelangai.

"But in case (PN wins the polls), it won't affect the state government. However, it might affect the people here for choosing the wrong person to represent them," he said.

Wan Rosdy (above) was asked to respond to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who said the Pahang government will be under pressure if PN manages to secure another seat in the Pahang state legislative assembly.

This comes as BN and PN have 17 seats each in the state assembly. BN managed to form the state government after it joined forces with Pakatan Harapan, which won eight state seats in the 15th general election last year.

Pelangai is one of the 17 seats won by BN. However, a by-election had to be called after its incumbent Johari Harun died in a plane crash on Aug 17.

Wan Rosdy, who is also Umno vice-president, claimed that opposition representatives in Pahang had not performed well in helping the rakyat.

The menteri besar said many had come to him complaining about their assemblypersons turning them away when asked for help.

"The problem now is their wakil rakyat are not helping them on the pretext that they do not have financial allocation to do so because they are in the opposition.

"They can't do this. When we contest an election, we are offering ourselves to be the people's representatives and to assist them whenever needed regardless of whether we are in the government or opposition.

"If you are not ready to be in the opposition, then do not contest in the election," he said.

Wan Rosdy also refuted Tuan Ibrahim's claim that Felda areas are no longer considered BN strongholds.

He said the opposite had been proven in the recent general election where BN had won in Pelangai and his constituency Jelai, both with Felda settlements. - Mkini