KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional is looking to become an “obor perpaduan” (beacon of unity) for the people of Melaka, said Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, ahead of the state election next month.
In his speech at the launch of PN’s state election campaign, Hamzah said the coalition does not want its leaders to be seen as creating divisions in society.
“I don’t want any one of us to castigate each other or hurl insults; I don’t want to see anyone among us accused of causing divisions,” Hamzah, who is also home minister, said.
“We are not the cause of divisions, but we are the beacon of unity in Melaka and surely the rest of Malaysia.”
Present were Gerakan president Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, Terengganu Menteri Besar and PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Women, Family, and Community Development Minister and Bersatu Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun.
Hamzah added that PN’s leadership under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has shown high spirits in its struggle for the people of Melaka and country as a whole, reflecting the coalition’s stance on upholding unity.
Yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) set November 20 as polling day for the Melaka vote and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh had said early voters can cast their ballots on November 16. The electoral body is expecting a turnout of around 70% of the more than 295,000 registered voters, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state assembly was dissolved by Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam on October 5 after Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali lost majority support as chief minister.
Ghani said a total of 217 polling centres will be open on voting day from 8am to 5.30pm, while 31 will be set up for early voting. The EC will spend RM46 million to carry out the polls. – The Vibes, October 19, 2021
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