Mukhriz's influence cannot swing Kedah votes away from BN - Council
ALOR SETAR, April 20 (Bernama) -- The influence of PPBM deputy president, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir in Kedah is not strong enough to swing the votes away from the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially in the rural areas, says Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Sidek.
In fact, said the secretary of the National Professors Council's Political, Security and International Affairs Cluster, Mukhriz's influence as former menteri besar was not an annoyance to the coalition (BN) as he had managed to secure a comfortable victory in the 13th General Election (GE13) on a BN ticket.
He said being an opposition candidate for the Jitra state seat under the Kubang Pasu parliamentary constituency and the Jerlun parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) would surely not be the same for Mukhriz.
Abdul Halim said the people in the state were all aware that Mukhriz's achievement when he was in UMNO was due to the fact that he was the son of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a former prime minister for 22 years.
There was also a fairly high possibility that Mukhriz would face defeat in the GE14 as the incumbent Jerlun MP had failed to serve his constituency, he noted.
"Despite his win in the 13th General Election and appointed as menteri besar, he (Mukhriz) was chosen not because of his credibility but due to the BN factor, and the people were angry with PAS for joining the opposition at that time," he told Bernama.
Abdul Halim opined that UMNO and BN had become stronger after Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz were no longer fighting for the party which had been proven to have championed the cause of the race, religion and country.
"The Tun Mahathir and Mukhriz factor has caused the split in the state UMNO...there were more qualified and experienced candidates to become menteri besar at that time.
"When leading Kedah, Mukhriz did not make the state as his 'home' and failed to fulfill the people's needs," he said, adding he was confident that BN had a higher chance of winning in Kedah, especially in the Kubang Pasu parliamentary constituency in the GE14.
Meanwhile, incumbent Jitra assemblyman Datuk Aminuddin Omar said UMNO and BN were always upholding the principles of steadfastness in their struggle as well as loyalty which had strengthened them.
"Whoever the opposition candidate, is not the main concern as I am confident the party machinery will work hard to ensure victory for BN.
"I am confident the people are wise enough to judge for themselves representatives who can really work for them," he said.
Aminuddin also reminded those who were not chosen as candidates for the GE14 to continue to be consistent with the party's struggles.
"The spirit of loyalty and unity in safeguarding the party should be the main priority. Don't sabotage the party if you are not selected (as candidates)," he said.
-- BERNAMA
