JOHOR BARU – Settlers of Felda Taib Andak in Kulai have never gone hungry when Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was prime minister and they want him back at the helm.
They told The Vibes that they may very well hold on to this sentiment when they head to the polling booths on March 12.
Village chief Tok Rozaihad said his community was well taken care of during the movement control orders in 2020 when Muhyiddin served as prime minister.
“During Muhyiddin’s tenure, welfare assistance flowed in without issue, lorries after lorries brought them in.
“No one here went hungry. But after Muhyiddin was ousted, there was no more welfare assistance coming into the village.
“If the villagers remember Muhyiddin’s service, they will likely vote along those lines.”
Aside from expressing gratitude for Muhyiddin, Rohaizad said the 620 families in the village live peacefully despite differing political views.
He added that the villagers are asking for much and are excited about planned developments, such as the upgrading of the village’s market and the building of a new community hall for the youth.
Nevertheless, Rohaizad said some of the villagers are frustrated with the state government for calling an election during the pandemic.
“They (the Johor government) are creating problems when there are no problems. There shouldn’t be an election when Covid-19 cases are on the rise as the ones who suffer in the end are the rakyat.”
BN popularity on the wane
On Barisan Nasional’s (BN) popularity in the Felda Taib Andak, Rohaizad suggested the village may no longer be a stronghold for the coalition.
He said the villagers are more aware of certain political issues due to better access to social media.
“It is not like our parents’ time. Before this, you could say this is a BN stronghold. With social media, we can judge who is good or bad for us.”
Meanwhile, Rohaizad said it is tough to gauge Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) popularity in the village.
He added that PH was not able to fulfil its election promises due to their short time in power.
“Whoever comes here, whether BN or Perikatan Nasional, I will host them to the best of my ability. But my vote is my right and who I vote for remains a secret.” – The Vibes, February 26, 2022
