Heart talk: Johor MB appeals to voters through Chinese translation

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi tonight called DAP’s Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi onto the stage to translate his speech into Mandarin for the benefit of the mainly Chinese Malaysian audience.

He told a crowd of around 500 gathered for a ceramah at Kampung Masjid Lama that he wished to speak to the audience “heart to heart”.

Onn Hafiz went on to highlight his administration’s work and achievements, such as the ongoing works to widen the North-South Expressway and the rail double-tracking project.

He also asked for RM60 million from the 2025 federal budget for new roads in Kluang.

The crowd cheered uproariously after Wong translated this, which led Onn Hafiz to ask jokingly whether she had translated correctly.

“Did she translate it right? The crowd is clapping like the budget was already approved,” he joked.

During his speech, he asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the allocation to resolve traffic issues in Kluang.

Onn Hafiz also spoke on the cooperation between his party Umno and Pakatan Harapan in his state, saying that it changed his relationship with DAP deputy secretary-general and Iskandar Puteri MP Liew Chin Tong.

The pair would fight a lot before 2022, but now he has recognised that he and Liew both have the state’s best interests at heart, he said.

‘I’ll put Syed Hussien to work’

Besides that, Onn Hafiz said he would work closely with BN candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah if the latter were to win.

“Because if he does not work…“ Onn Hafiz said.

“Cane him!” shouted a member from the audience to laughter.

“I will put him to work,” Onn Hafiz continued, with a smile.

This ceramah is the final one held by the federal coalition government as part of the campaign for Syed Hussien in the Mahkota by-election.

Perikatan Nasional held its last ceramah last night.

Syed Hussien, who is also Kluang Umno Youth chief, will be facing PN’s Mohd Haizan Jaafar in a straight fight for the Johor state seat tomorrow.

The Mahkota by-election was called following the death of the incumbent from Umno, Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, on Aug 2.

Umno loyal friend to Harapan, unlike Bersatu, says Amanah

Mahkota polls: Police receive 6 reports, open 4 probe papers

Ilham Centre: Mahkota polls depends on turnout along racial lines

Mahkota: While BN scrambles for Chinese votes, PN swoops in for Malays

Police dismiss criminal record claims against BN's Mahkota candidate

Liew expected to step down as Johor DAP chief