Sivaraj accepts party's decision to withdraw from Padang Serai polls

KULIM - Padang Serai Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk C Sivaraj accepts the decision of the party leadership who wants him to withdraw to make way for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate to compete in the 15th General Election (GE15) this time.

He said there was no greater interest than the decision made by the party even though he had been working for three years and has given hope to thousands of Padang Serai people over the years.

He explained that his presence at the constituency was well received by all walks of life and that he has always received support and advices to continue to serve.

"During my time here, the mothers' community have always treated me as if I were their own child, as well as those that I deem as my sisters and brothers were never complacent to give me advices and guidance when necessary and even the younger ones in Padang Serai never failed in giving me support.

"These people are the motivation for me to continue to try to serve as best I can," he said in a statement here on Saturday.

Taking into account the situation, Sivaraj said he wanted to continue his service for the people here despite realising that he would not be able to help solve the big problems facing them.

He said he believed that with his few abilities and capabilities, he would be able to help solve the basic problems in the community here.

In the meantime, he also appealed to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government to pay due attention to the issues highlighted in his previous manifesto.

"Our five promises to Padang Serai should be given due attention as the Padang Serai Parliament is far behind in all aspects.

"It is not fair for the people of Padang Serai to continue to be ignored without the defence that they deserve," he said.

On Friday, it was reported that BN gave way to PH candidate Dr Mohamad Sofee Razak to face another contender in the Padang Serai Parliament in GE15.

The matter was announced by Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom in a special announcement talk held at Taman Desa Aman, Padang Meiha here.

He said the decision was made as a sign of the unity government's agreement between BN and PH at the national level.

"With the new friendship at the federal level, the unity government coalition will support the PH candidate to win the Padang Serai seat on Dec 7," he said.