Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said what was vital in the by-election was that all party machineries should work seriously to ensure unity at the grassroots level.
"We will adhere to the late Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar's approach in reaching out to grassroots level and not merely in small groups but knowing the individual voter.
"This is required by the machinery, there is no need to hold large ceramahs (talks) but we need to reach out to individual voters as it is they who will determine which candidate wins," he told reporters after the nomination process for the by-election at the Tumpat Land and District Office here, today.
Ahmad Zahid said Mat Razi, a former Tumpat district assistant education officer, is the most suitable candidate to contest in the constituency.
"He (Mat Razi) is the best among the best candidates with a strong religious background," he said.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the reputation of Mat Razi itself was a draw for voters to support BN.
"He is a competent figure and we are confident the voters here will choose more than development.
"They want a figure who will assist the community and Mat Razi has already been serving the community with his (pondok religious) school and I am confident he will serve the people well," he said.
Another Umno vice-president, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, said the party had placed high hopes on the by-election to ensure continuity of the service provided by the late Noor Zahidi.
"The candidate is widely accepted not only by our machinery but the people," he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the strength and unity within BN would ensure the party retain Pengkalan Kubor.
"We are prepared to face this important by-election and we are confident our candidate is the best and of calibre to continue the legacy of the late Noor Zahidi," he said.
Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said there would be an integrated approach to the campaign for the by-election.
"We will approach all voters equally and reach out to all residents.
"Our house-to-house campaigning will start this evening," he said. Mustapha said Mat Razi, a local, was just the right candidate to contest in this by-election.
"He is a local and understands the nuances of the villagers here and he hopes to continue the legacy of the late Noor Zahidi," he said.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Wanita Umno was confident the BN candidate would secure victory in the by-election.
"We are sure our candidate will be well-received as he is a product of a BN religious school as well as a local resident.
"BN will win as we are a far more stable party which does not run down its own candidate and we always fulfill our pledges," she said.
Shahrizat said in the by-election this time, Wanita Umno would be mobilising about 1,000 women.
"Our women machinery known as 'Jalinan Rakyat' (JR) will go from house to house.
"Wanita is committed to the Pengkalan Kubor by-election and preparations are already in place," she said.
The contest is a three-cornered fight involving Mat Razi, PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.
The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Noor Zahidi of BN on Aug 20.
In the 13th general election, Noor Zahdi defeated PKR candidate Shaharun Ibrahim and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary with a majority of 1,736 votes.
-mysinchew
No comments:
Write commentsNote: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.