NIBONG TEBAL - Penang Pas chief Fauzi Muhammad Yusoff has stressed the importance of remaining steadfast in their efforts as the Opposition in the state, despite continuous accusations by the government of them not doing work.
"We have endured pressure, such as accusations that we don’t do work when we have been working diligently for the past ten months," he told a press conference at Perikatan Nasional headquarters in Nibong Tebal today.
On PN's late announcement of the manifesto for the Sungai Bakap by-election, Fauzi stated that timing is not a concern, as their actions align with their principles regardless of when the announcement is made.
He also hoped that PN candidate Abidin Ismail would win to continue the late incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff’s efforts, particularly in handling the water issues in Penang, specifically Sungai Bakap. "Our main objective to be elected is so that we can tell the people about our strategy in a more organised manner and create a better political system here,” he said.
Among the efforts emphasised by Fauzi for the Opposition to continue post-election was to uphold the recent party’s slogan KERJA which stood for service (Khidmat), economics (Ekonomi), infrastructure network (Rangkaian infrastruktur), guarantee (Jaminan) and trust (Amanah) which would be entailed by efforts such as maintaining projects free of corruption and abuse of power, providing for the people and more.
The Sg Dua assemblyman also slammed the government's funding allocation, claiming his constituency allegedly received RM130,000 less than those held by the ruling party. This shortfall, he argued, amounted to RM30,000 less for public services. "Despite this challenge," he continued, "we implemented additional initiatives to support the community, such as back-to-school programmes," he added.
Addressing the issue of Chinese voters protesting against the electoral system by refusing to vote for any parties, he said the party would try to persuade them to express their protest through ballot papers instead, where the PN might prove them otherwise.
"We will try to persuade them in these remaining three days. In the meantime, we see improvement in the voting pattern among non-Malay voters,” Fauzi said.
The by-election on July 6 is a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Abidin, following the death of Zamri on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.