Mukhriz tells supporters to back credible, non-PH Malay candidates

MUAR: Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir has urged the party’s supporters in seats not contested by Perikatan Nasional (PN) to choose Malay candidates with credibility and integrity, excluding those from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He said the decision was ultimately up to Pejuang members and supporters but stressed that the chosen candidate should be credible and have a clean track record.

“What Dr Mahathir Mohamad advised is to choose a Malay candidate. I know there are several constituencies where all the candidates are Malay, so in such cases, choose the one who is credible.

“We do not want candidates with integrity issues. The main thing is that they are not from PH. Beyond that, I leave it to the voters and Pejuang supporters to make their own judgment,” he told FMT while campaigning for PN in Bukit Gambir.

On PN’s prospects in Gambir, Mukhriz said the coalition was confident in its candidate, Suraya Sulaiman, whom he described as having the advantage of being a local and well known to residents.

He said Suraya, who is from Kampung Sawah Ring, had been working in the constituency for the past four years, going from village to village to assist residents.

“I think we made the right choice with Suraya. Everywhere I go, voters already know her, so I don’t have to introduce the candidate.

“Although it is a three-cornered contest against two strong challengers from Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH, we remain optimistic about winning,” he said.

Suraya is an entrepreneur in the health and beauty industry and is actively involved in NGO work.

On support from non-Malay voters, Mukhriz acknowledged that some had expressed an intention to boycott the election or believed that all political parties were the same.

However, he said PN was working to convince them that the coalition was different from its rivals, particularly in addressing economic issues and public welfare.

“So far, the response from non-Malay voters has been very positive. I hope this will translate into votes and result in a high voter turnout in our favour,” he said.

Earlier, PAS officially called on its supporters and voters to back BN candidates in seats not contested by PN.