Shahidan says Harapan leaders are a liability during Sungai Bakap, stage presence benefited PN

NIBONG TEBAL — Some Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders have become a liability to their own parties, says Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim following Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) win at Sungai Bakap state seat last night.

He said some PH faces were nothing short of liability to themselves this whole time.

Dropping big names from PKR and DAP, he said the Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim had probably affected the PH’s candidate campaign trail amid the economic issues faced by the people at the moment.

Shahidan then took a jab at them, saying that they were unable to propose anything concrete when promoting the government to the people on the ground.

“We like it even more when they come down to campaign, it works in our favour,” he told Sinar Daily at the PN operations centre on Saturday after election results announcement.

The Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 became a focal point for political tensions as Rafizi faced criticism for his blunt remarks towards a critic during the campaign.

Known for his outspoken style, Rafizi responded harshly when repeatedly questioned about his campaign strategies, labeling the critic as "bahlol" (moron) and "bodoh" (idiot) during a ceramah.

However, following PH's defeat in the by-election, criticisms mounted against Rafizi for his choice of words.

Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh sarcastically referenced Rafizi's remarks on social media, attributing PKR's loss to what he termed the "moronic and stupid formula" touted by Rafizi.

In the by-election last Saturday, PN’s candidate Abidin Ismail of Pas, polled 14,489 votes for a majority of 4,267 votes over his PH opponent, Joohari Ariffin of PKR, who polled 10,222 votes.

The majority PN achieved on July 6 was bigger than the one recorded in the state elections in August last year.