KOTA MELAKA: Veteran Umno leader Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has called on Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives to continue serving their constituents between elections, citing Duyong incumbent Mohd Noor Helmy as an example.
Shahrizat, an Umno Supreme Council member, said Mohd Noor Helmy remained accessible to residents and continued addressing their concerns throughout his term.
She said residents she met during a visit to Duyong had spontaneously expressed support for the incumbent, whom she described as hardworking and consistently present on the ground.
“It is not because he is an influencer. There are many influencers, but what makes him stand out is that he works hard, goes to the ground and engages with the people, not just during elections,” she said.
“From what we have seen, whenever he hears about a case, he immediately goes there. He does not know the meaning of being tired,” she added after visiting Duyong for the ‘Ziarah HAWAcare’ programme.
The visit included engagements with three residents and their families facing various difficulties, including loss of household income and serious health issues.
Also present were Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis, and BN candidate Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem.
Shahrizat, who had served several terms as a member of parliament, said BN’s political culture had always been to serve the people immediately after receiving their mandate.
She said this applied to both state and parliamentary elections, as public support depended on voters’ views of a party’s manifesto, services, policies and leadership.
“We cannot become representatives who only appear during election season. That is not our culture. You have to sacrifice your time, energy and other commitments for them,” she said.
Asked whether Mohd Noor Helmy’s approach could serve as an example for other BN representatives, Shahrizat said his standard of service could be emulated beyond Melaka.
“His legacy and standard of service can be an example not just for Melaka, but for the whole country,” she said.
Mohd Noor Helmy said his priorities for Duyong would remain focused on residents’ immediate needs, including household welfare, safety and basic infrastructure.
He said the rising cost of daily necessities, road conditions, drainage and flood prevention were more pressing concerns for residents than large-scale development projects that might not necessarily benefit the constituency.
Any development plans, he added, must take Duyong’s needs into account. He would speak up against projects that were unsuitable for the area.
Of the 28 seats, 11 will see straight fights, with nine featuring contests between BN and Pakatan Harapan and the remaining two between BN and Bersatu. All 11 were won by BN in 2021.