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MASJID TANAH: The continued presence of former Lendu assemblyman Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali in the Melaka election campaign has provided a boost to Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid.
Abdul Hakim is contesting the seat previously held by Sulaiman.
BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Sulaiman had been actively campaigning alongside Abdul Hakim since the campaign period began, meeting supporters and voters in the constituency.
He dismissed concerns that some voters might be unhappy with Sulaiman’s absence from the ballot, saying the former assemblyman had continued to lend his support to the BN candidate.
“I do not see the issue of disgruntled voters as a major concern, as Sulaiman himself has been out campaigning alongside the candidate.
“His presence also gives strength to our candidate and the party. I do not see this as an issue that can be exploited or one that would leave voters disappointed.
“Every leader has his own followers and supporters, but we can see Sulaiman’s presence alongside the candidate. He is also here today,” he said when met after having breakfast with local residents at Warung Yusof in Durian Daun here today.
He was responding to claims that some voters in Lendu were unhappy because Sulaiman was not contesting in the election.
On Abdul Hakim’s campaign efforts, Mohamad said feedback indicated that the young candidate had been actively meeting voters and reaching out to the community.
“That is also my advice to him. What matters is that we meet as many voters as possible,” he said.
Mohamad said traditional campaigning methods, including personally distributing slips containing polling station details, remained important, particularly in rural areas, despite the growing use of digital platforms.
He said distributing the slips in person allowed campaign workers to engage directly with voters and gauge their response after explaining the party’s position and policies.
“Usually, when villagers receive the paper, they feel honoured. It is like receiving a wedding invitation,” he said.
In the Melaka election, Abdul Hakim will face Bersatu candidate Nazri Ramli in a straight fight for the Lendu seat, which Sulaiman previously won for BN.
In the 2021 state election, Sulaiman won the seat with a majority votes of 3,104.
Abdul Hakim is among eight new faces fielded by BN. The others are Ahmad Norazril Abd Aziz (Rembia), S. Nadarajah (Gadek), Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa (Durian Tunggal), Siti Aisyah Mahmood (Pengkalan Batu), Datuk Ridhwan Ali (Ayer Molek), Datuk Azman Abdullah (Serkam) and Jezlee Pit (Sungai Rambai).