Mohd Zaidi wants to contest Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Umno Permatang Pauh division chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said (pix) intends to contest the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in the coming election.

He said his intention to contest the seat was rooted in wanting to serve the constituents there.

He hoped the voters will give him the opportunity to prove he could make the constituency better if he is chosen to contest.

“I will ensure development in Permatang Pauh will be better than before,” he said in his speech at the Chinese New Year open house on Wednesday evening.

The seat is seen as an opposition stronghold and is currently held by PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

She won the seat with a 8,841 majority in a 2015 by-election after the seat fell vacant following the imprisonment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over a sodomy charge.

She defeated Suhami Sabudin of the Barisan Nasional (BN), Azman Shah Othman of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and independent Salleh Isahak in a four-corner contest.

In his speech later, Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Teng Chang Yeow criticised the Penang government for allegedly dividing the community by being involved in cultural activities.

He said the Penang administration under BN rule for some 40 years only assisted the communities and not to grab such activities.

He listed the Penang Chinese New Year “Miao Hui” (temple fair), the Jade Emperor’s Birthday and the introduction of the Golden Chariot in Thaipusam this year as examples.

“We need to think if it is worthwhile to support such a government,” he said.