The Malaysian Insight

PORT Dickson by-election candidate Isa Samad has shot back at Rais Yatim over the latter’s claims about the former Negeri Sembilan menteri’s besar track record, saying they should not be taken seriously.

Isa slammed the Bersatu state chief for saying he did not do much for the people in his 22 years in office.

“We all know him (Rais) well, his views on things flip-flop. Rais, do not fool the people of Negri Sembilan. We all know you well,” Isa said during a campaign trail walkabout today. 

The former Jempol MP added he had done a lot for the people during his 22-year tenure compared with Rais, who only served for three years and eight months. 

“He is the one who did not do much. I have done a lot for the people, in particular Port Dickson. Rais’ views do not count. Only when there is a benefit to himself will he enter,” Isa said.

Rais, who was former prime minister Najib Razak’s adviser, left Umno after the general election. 

The former minister then joined Bersatu and was recently made its Negri Sembilan chief. 

Last night during a ceramah, Rais, who was stumping for PKR candidate Anwar Ibrahim, said Isa was a “failure”.

He said it would be better to vote for Anwar instead of Isa as the former could bring about changes for the people of Port Dickson.

Apart from Isa, Anwar is up against air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS, Anwar’s former aide and sodomy accuser Saiful Azlan Bukhari, and three other independents in a seven-way fight for Port Dickson. 

In GE14, PKR candidate Danyal Balagopal Abdullah won 36,225 votes, defeating the BN and PAS candidates, who received 18,515 and 6,594 votes, respectively.

The election was called when Danyal resigned to allow Anwar to stage a comeback in Parliament.

Voters in Port Dickson are 43% Malay, Chinese (33%), Indians (22%) and others (2%). – October 11, 2018.