PN's reception in Johor outstanding! - Sanusi
ALOR SETAR - The people of Johor are showing strong and unexpected support for Perikatan Nasional (PN).
This support is evident in the large number of individuals attending several speeches held in the state.
PN's Election director-general, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, mentioned that the wave of support for PN in the state cannot be stopped. It is spreading further south, including Johor.
Sanusi expressed confidence that PN would bring a surprise in the Pulai by-election and the Simpang Jeram state election.
"The reception is better than expected. It's outstanding!
"If Johor has such strong support for PN, there's a good chance of winning, especially in Simpang Jeram," he said after opening the Hari Penyayang Charity Carnival at Darul Aman Stadium Grounds here today.
Also present were Kedah's Tunku Temenggong and the Sultanah Bahiyah Foundation chairman, Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
The Kedah Menteri Besar expressed confidence that any party aligned with Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not succeed in the by-election.
"The PN wave that started in Johor came through Muar and reached the Simpang Jeram State Assembly first.
"This wave's momentum cannot be stopped," he said.
Sanusi also slammed a statement made by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who dismissed the PN wave's impact in the Pulai Parliament and Simpang Jeram State Assembly.
Nur Jazlan argued that PN lacked strength in Johor.
Sanusi explained that PN's strength extended from the north, including Pagoh through MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to the Mersing Parliament.
"It's not a daydream; we dream at night. This is a statement of confidence that we can win," he said.
Sanusi claimed that Johor was no longer a stronghold for Umno and that other parties could now make headway there.
"Now it's no longer an Umno stronghold. Everything can change.
"Strong parties, like the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan or the Communist Party in China, can also lose after years of strength.
"It's time for Umno, BN, and PH to be changed by the PN wave," he explained.
He suggested that Umno might face a decline soon.
"Johor is no longer an Umno stronghold. This is where Umno was born, and this might be where it will be burried," he said.
Nur Jazlan, the Pulai Umno Division chief, argued that Sanusi's message wouldn't resonate in Johor.
He highlighted that the people were moderate and not extreme in their religious and racial views, which were often emphasised by PN.
Sanusi responded by comparing himself to Nur Jazlan.
He suggested that Nur Jazlan's influence was diminishing while he himself was better suited for the current circumstances.
"Jazlan doesn't hold much influence anymore. He won't be successful in a contest.
"He can't compete, and he's expressing dissatisfaction everywhere. When compared to him, I am more capable," he said.
Johor Amanah deputy chairman Suhaizan Kaiat was announced as the PH candidate for the Pulai Parliament, while Bakri area Amanah deputy chief Nazri Abdul Rahman was nominated for the Simpang Jeram state seat.
PN nominated Pulai Bersatu division deputy chief Zulkifli Jaafar as the Pulai Parliamentary candidate on Sep 9, and endovascular surgeon Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya was chosen as the Simpang Jeram state seat candidate.
