The Election Director for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, is confident that voters will accept the local candidates put forth by the coalition in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17).
According to him, all PN candidates across 41 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats are native Sabahans, and not ‘jumpers’ from Peninsular Malaysia, thus rejecting concerns about regional sentiments among the people of Sabah.
The Kedah Menteri Besar asserted that PN is prepared to face any campaign competition this PRN to ensure victory for the coalition.
“All PN candidates are Sabah (local) people, there are no candidates from the Peninsular. Whatever the slogan (or sentiment) may be, PN is ready to face this election.
“Even though PN is everywhere, all our candidates are local people. I am not contesting here (Sabah),” he said, having been present since nomination day and actively campaigning for PN candidates.
He expressed hope that the state’s people would support PERIKATAN NASIONAL, thereby correcting the past mistake that saw the PN Government formed in the state collapse through the ‘hopping incident’.
“I hope the people of Sabah continue to support PERIKATAN NASIONAL for us to prove that the PN government that was overthrown before was a mistake,” urged the Kedah Menteri Besar.
Muhammad Sanusi stressed that PERIKATAN NASIONAL is fielding genuine and selfless candidates, having taken lessons from Sabah’s previous political episodes as a guide.
“I hope the people make the best choice. We offer the expertise and advantages we have. The PN government is a government from the people for the people, not aristocracy for the people. We are all common people (orang marhaen) and understand the needs of the rakyat,” he said.
He also reminded voters not to choose ‘aristocratic and kayangan’ (elite) leaders who do not understand the hardships and empathise with the lower-income rakyat, for the sake of the future of the Land Below the Wind (Negeri Di Bawah Bayu).
“If you appoint leaders from among the aristocracy and kayangan, will they see us? No, because they have never felt our suffering. We want a government that understands the position of the rakyat from the bottom up,” he said.
In his speech at the same event, the leader also urged the people of Sabah to use the opportunity of the five-yearly PRN17 to choose leaders who are brave enough to fight for the state’s rights.
“We want the chosen state leaders to be brave in speaking up for Sabah. We want what is bound in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be implemented for the benefit of the people and the state.
“What is promised must be fulfilled and should not be delayed,” he said, emphasizing the importance of fighting for the state’s rights based on the agreement.
He further stated that PN is only contesting 42 out of the total 73 DUN seats, but this number is significant in determining Sabah’s political future.
“I came here without promising great things; I ask the people of Sabah to make the decision for the state of Sabah. I only came to offer views and to observe the smooth operation of the election machinery.
“My friends who are contesting are not stressed; everyone is ‘happy’,” said the leader, who is also the PAS Election Director and Jeneri State Assemblyman (ADUN) in Kedah.
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