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TANJUNG MALIM: Former Prime Minister Najib Razak says Barisan Nasional’s big victory in Slim’s by-elections is proof that people have rejected the strategy of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s new party, Pejuang.
He said people have grown weary of the personal attacks launched by the party, particularly against him.
“People heard (Pejuang’s) stories and rejected them. They want leaders who can defend them, who can take care of their well-being.
“Still (Pejuang) they mention my name (while campaigning). People have started to hate hearing about the issue (of personal attacks against me), ”he told reporters here after the results of Slim’s by-elections were officially announced.
BN candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz was elected the newest member of Slim’s state assembly tonight, garnering 13,060 votes to an overwhelming majority of 10,945 over his main rival, independent candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, who garnered 2,115 votes.
Najib said that Amir, who represents Mahathir’s Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, had lost a lot at the Felda Besout 2 voting center even after Mahathir had campaigned there for him.
“In Besout 2, where Mahathir campaigned, they lost a lot. This is a sign that people are beginning to realize that he (Mahathir) did not lead for 22 months, ”he said. Mahathir was the head of the Pakatan Harapan government from May 2018 until he resigned in February.
Najib said non-Malaysian support for BN was growing, based on today’s results, which he saw as a positive sign.
BN’s victory reversed its dismal performance in the 2018 elections, when it retained the seat by just a majority of 2,183.
BN Secretary General Annuar Musa said, however, that the coalition should avoid being complacent as it prepares for the impending Sabah state elections.
He said this served as preparation for a victory in Sabah, adding that there will be no days off for the coalition’s electoral machinery.
BN President Ahmad Zahid Hamid said that this victory of the by-elections can be extended to the people of Sabah, adding that this result was “curing” the people’s “yearning” for the party.
