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MUAR – Former Johor menteri besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal is confident of increasing his majority and retaining the Bukit Kepong state seat to add to Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s numbers in the state assembly.
The incumbent gushed over his own achievements over the last four years, saying he managed to develop the constituency to help citizens of all races.
He also noted how his close relationship with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has aided his political journey.
“I managed to bring development to the Bukit Kepong constituency, and a good relationship with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has taught me and guided me, making my decisions easier,” he was quoted as saying by Getaran, The Vibes’ Malay language sister portal.
“With my experience as the Johor menteri besar and the experience of Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) as prime minister, I am confident I am able to govern if given the trust to lead Johor,” he told reporters at the Bukit Kepong nomination centre in IKTBN Pagoh earlier today.
Sahruddin led the state from April 2019 to February 2020.
Incidentally, Muhyiddin has also served as Johor menteri besar. His tenure began in August 1986 and lasted until May 1995.
Faced with the question of him being reappointed as menteri besar if PN secures victory, Sahruddin said he would leave such decisions to PN’s top leadership and would first remain focused on securing victories for Bersatu, the coalition’s main component party to which he belongs.
“To this point, it has not been announced, and I will leave it to the central leadership to choose whoever it wants.
“I am only a party member. I will make sure PN would first win the Johor election,” he added.
Johoreans focused on their own livelihoods, not personal jibes among politicians: Najib
Separately, Umno’s Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when commenting at another event, appeared to have forgiven comments stemming from the recent repartee among his party, Muhyiddin, and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Najib said he is confident that the people of Johor would not dwell on the antics of politicians targeting each other, but are instead more interested in whether BN’s policies can improve their standard of living.
“The people want to see Johor’s economic recovery, their aspirations being fulfilled, and the questions of jobs, housing, total investments and such (being addressed). These are all their focus, along with other daily issues and on their wellbeing.
“If they want to keep attacking me, that’s fine. That is their choice. But to the people, their main agenda is their own future and livelihoods,” the former prime minister stressed.
Najib said the outcome in Johor could signify a change in political sentiments and potentially indicate their ability to win a general election, adding that Johor’s mixed demographics could be indicative of support at a national level.
“So, if Johor returns to Umno’s reins as a state helmed by our party and with solid support from the people through a convincing majority, that would be a huge victory for BN,” he said.
Najib is in Johor to lend support to local candidates, despite not contesting or having any state party posts. – The Vibes, February 26, 2022
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