Ahmad key to keeping Pontian 'white' for BN - Wanita Umno division chief

GE15 | The Pontian parliament seat has historically remained with BN but its incumbent Ahmad Maslan's marginal win in the last 14th general election has made it a target of the opposition.

Ahmad defended his seat in 2018 against Bersatu and PAS with an 833-vote majority, down from over 13,000 votes in the previous general election.

However, this time, Pontian Wanita Umno division chief Hasrunizah Hassan said Ahmad's track record as a three-term MP is enough to keep the seat "white" or firmly with BN.

“It all depends on the candidate fielded in Pontian and we know Ahmad (above) always makes himself available whenever his attendance is needed including for kenduri, bersalin, sakit, mati dan malapetaka (KBSM)," said Hasrunizah, using a Malay acronym to describe his presence at weddings, visiting newborns and the sick, attending funerals and going to the ground during disasters.

"He (Ahmad) has remained dedicated since he first became MP and even when he had no position while BN was out of government.

"Now Pontian is white, but if BN were to field a less capable candidate, then I think even white can turn to grey," she added.

Of the two state seats under Pontian, Hasrunizah had in the March Johor polls reclaimed Pulai Sebatang from Pakatan Harapan, while Pontian Umno division chief Hasni Mohammad defended his Benut seat for the fourth term.

Going by the results of the state polls which saw BN forming the Johor government with 40 out of 56 seats, Hasrunizah expressed confidence the momentum would continue come polling day on Nov 19.

'Choose the lesser evil'

Since GE14 and the state polls, there has been a significant increase in the number of new voters, including in Pontian, due to the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration.

Offering advice, Hasrunizah said unlike choosing a life partner from among "the best of the best", voters should select their candidates based on which party is "best among the worst".

"I may be a staunch BN supporter, but there are policies that I disagree with, there are leaders who I do not like.

"This is the one with the least harm, and it (BN) has been proven in terms of contributions and administrative experience," she added.

Ahmad is going up against Harapan's Shazwan Zdainal, Perikatan Nasional's Isa Abdul Hamid and Pejuang’s Jamaludin Mohamad.

'Wanita Umno is loyal'

Meanwhile, Hasrunizah said Wanita Umno members are loyal to the party even if unhappiness existed, including on the representation of only 11 percent of women candidates from BN in GE15.

"We can make noise, get angry but we are loyal to the party.

"Even though there are 'noises' it does not affect our loyalty to assist any BN candidates fielded.

"No matter from Umno, MCA or MIC, Wanita Umno will work for BN," she stressed.

The 11 percent figure raised by Wanita Umno information chief Norshida Ibrahim, prior to official nominations last Saturday, was based on an initial announcement of 160 BN candidates, of which only 18 are women.

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