TELUK INTAN Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Teluk Intan parliamentary constituency Mah Siew Keong accepts that winning the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election is a daunting task.

However, he is confident of wresting the seat that he held for two terms since the 1999 general election in light of voters preference for a local over an outsider.

Mah, who lost the seat in the 2008 and 2013 general elections, rated a 50:50 chance of regaining it.

The BN must show true grit to convince voters why it should be given the task of representing them, instead of the DAP, he told reporters at the close of the nomination of the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election at SMK Seri Perak today.

Mah, 53, who is also Gerakan president, faces DAP’s Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, 27, in a straight fight in the by-election set for May 31.

Mah said at first, Gerakan wanted to field a newcomer in Teluk Intan, but eventually the party’s leadership felt that he should vie for the seat as party president and a local.

“The prime minister told me to go for it following a discussion. I have decided to join the fray whatever the outcome may be.

“And I do not shirk my responsibility despite our wish of giving the opportunity to a new face,” he said.

He urged the two contending parties to steer clear of personal attacks, hurling abusive words, distorting facts, and playing with people’s emotions as they were not the culture of Teluk Intan.

- Bernama

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