Shahrir expresses interest to defend JB seat in GE14
JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional’s chances of retaining the Johor Baru parliamentary seat has gotten a further boost after incumbent Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad expressed his interest to defend the constituency in the 14th General Election.
The Umno politician, who is widely popular in his constituency, said he was ready to face anyone Pakatan Harapan intends to field, including his younger brother Khalid from Amanah.
“Lately, there have been many Pakatan politicians who say they want to contest in Johor, including the Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad.
“I’m prepared to face them in any capacity,” Shahrir said after taking part in a panel dialogue session titled “Perjuangan 4 All” held at Dewan Kompleks Yayasan Warisan Johor here yesterday.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Shahrir pointed out that Pakatan’s top leaders, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Lim Kit Siang, have stated that they want to make Johor their frontline state.
“Why then should I back down,” he said.
Shahrir noted that the Opposition’s boast of a Johor political tsunami which would sweep them to power at GE13 never materialised.
He said with several influential figures on their side, Pakatan is again trying to convince voters that they can wrest Johor in GE14.
Dr Wee said Pakatan’s focus on Johor was merely a political ploy to confuse the rakyat.
“They like to stir things up just to look good so it is better not to enter- tain them,” he said.
Annuar said Umno welcomed Pakatan’s ambitions to wrest Johor, a bastion for the party and Barisan.
“Pakatan has quite a limited ambition when they only target Johor but Barisan wants to win every state, including Selangor and Penang, during the election in order for us to form a stronger government,” he said.