Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has acknowledged dissatisfaction among Sulaiman Ali’s supporters after the former Melaka chief minister was dropped as Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Lendu state seat.
He said dissatisfaction following nomination day was normal, but Sulaiman’s presence alongside BN candidate Hakim Wahid on the campaign trail showed his commitment to the coalition.
“There will always be supporters who are unhappy when a candidate is replaced.
“But Sulaiman’s decision to campaign alongside Hakim shows that he is committed to helping BN retain the seat,” Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, told reporters after meeting residents at Kampung Durian Daun today.
He said he did not regard the dissatisfaction as a major issue or a sign that voters had turned against BN.
BN campaign machinery remains organised
Mohamad said BN’s campaign machinery in Lendu was operating in an organised manner, with Hakim actively meeting voters from village to village.
He also reminded party workers to prioritise face-to-face engagement, explain issues to voters and refrain from insulting or disparaging their opponents.
Sulaiman replaced by Hakim
Sulaiman had represented Lendu since 2013 and served as Melaka’s 12th chief minister from 2020 to 2023.
He retained the seat with a majority of 3,104 votes in the 2021 state election.
However, BN dropped him from its candidate list for the upcoming state election, choosing Hakim to replace him.
Hakim, a former political secretary to Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, will face Bersatu’s Nazri Ramli in a straight fight for the seat.
