IPOH: It’s always been Barisan Nasional’s strategy for many years now to announce its candidates three days before nomination, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He said this in response on whether it is Barisan’s strategy not to name its candidate yet in Tambun since Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional had already done so.
“Is not about the candidate, people will vote for the logo.
“So, we are not waiting to see who the opponents are, then field our candidates,” he said.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will stand in Tambun for Pakatan Harapan, while incumbent Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu will contest for Perikatan Nasional.
Saarani also urged Chinese and Indian voters in Perak to make a wise decision this GE15.
The Perak Mentri Besar said they should not repeat the mistake made in 2018 (GE14).
He said this time around, voters must ensure Barisan Nasional in Perak wins more than 30 seats.
“Give a chance to MCA and MIC, so that they are able to represent the communities in the state executive council.
“Currently, in the state exco, there are no Chinese and Indian representatives, but all Malays. This is not healthy.
“Vote wisely for a strong and stable state government that has a combination of the three main races, so as to not lose out” he said in a special interview with the media here.
Saarani added that Barisan Nasional’s victory was not only for Umno, but for MCA and MIC as well, and thus it was important to get a combined representation.
He hoped to see what happened during the state elections in Melaka and Johor, where the Chinese support returned, to recur in Perak.
“So please my request is to help us establish a stable, strong and exco with mixed representation,” he added.
He said with strong support, it is not an impossible task for MCA to win back seats in the Ipoh Barat and Ipoh Timur parliamentary seats.
On DAP fielding a candidate in the Umno stronghold of Gerik, Saarani said this was not the first time.
During the leadership of former mentris besar Datuk Seri Wan Mohamed Wan Teh and Tan Sri Tajol Rosli Mohd Ghazali, DAP stood against them in Gerik as well.
“So DAP has placed a Malay candidate from Parit (in central Perak) to stand there to say hello.
“Voters there are wise,” he said.