PPBM accepts results, says Srikandi chief
IPOH: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the party accepted the results of the Rantau by-election, describing it as the people’s decision.
“For me, we have different issues in each of the by-elections (Semenyih, Cameron Highlands and Rantau). It is different. Cameron Highlands was different from Semenyih, Semenyih was different from Rantau.
“This is the choice of the people in this democratic country and we are from Pakatan Harapan.
“From time to time, we will be sure to improve our services and ensure that what we offer, we will be able to deliver,” she said.
Rina, who is rural development minister, said this after closing Expo TVET at the Royal College of Medicine Perak (RCMP), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) here yesterday. With her was her deputy, R. Sivarasa.
Rina said in this current political situation, everyone needed to play their role as the government was committed to rebuilding the country.
“We want to rebuild our nation and it is our responsibility no matter who you are, whether from the government or a citizen, everyone is involved. We are also open to criticism to fix our weaknesses for the sake of the people.
“We are not making up a story when we say we will do it so that together, we can redevelop the country.
“This is everyone’s role, no matter if you are staying in a rural or urban area, a leader or a normal person,” she said.
On Saturday, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is Umno deputy president and Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, won the Rantau by-election, garnering 10,397 votes to Pakatan Harapan’s Dr S. Streram’s 5,887 votes. Independent candidates R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin managed 83 and 79 votes, respectively.
In Rembau, fresh from winning the by-election, Mohamad didn’t wait long to meet the community in a walkabout.
At 9am, Mohamad visited the Rantau market here and was seen talking to traders and customers.
Mohamad, who has held the state seat since 2004, said after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) machinery team’s effort, which included ministers and the deputy prime minister, he did not expect to win a comfortable majority.
He said during the campaign period, he had always felt he only had a 50-50 chance of winning as he did not want his machinery to feel comfortable with various reports that BN would win.
“But I’m confident that the voters have their own stand and had decided even before the nomination. I just did not expect to win comfortably. I expected to win with a majority of below 2,000 votes,” he said.
Commenting further, Mohamad said besides young voters, the return of those who lived outside Rantau to vote had also contributed to his win.
“The success is a testimony to the support from all races for BN and the manifestation of the union of the people in Rantau,” he said.
The swearing-in of Mohamad into the state assembly is expected to be held during its first session next week.