Ahmad Shabery changes the lubricating oil of a motorcycle belonging to Omar Deraman, 60, a visitor to the Giat Dekat Rakyat programme. — Bernama photo
TUMPAT: With 48 hours left before the end of the campaign period, the Barisan Nasional (BN) is sparing no effort to gain the support of voters in the Pengkalan Kubor state constituency.
For the voters, the attitude of the nation’s leaders when visiting their homes in the run-up to the by-election is of primary importance.
They want the leaders to be caring and interested in their welfare, reveals a Bernama survey of a cross-section of the electorate.
Septuagenarian Abdullah Said was won over by the willingness of Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to visit him, as well as other chronic patients.
He said such an act of kindness should be emulated by other leaders, regardless of which party they voted for.
“If the leader shows that he is concerned about the locals, even those of differing political views, sooner or later, will be convinced,” he told Bernama when met at his home in Kampung Tujuh here after Ahmad Shabery visited him and handed over personal contributions.
An overwhelmed Abdullah, 76, said he did not expect Ahmad Shabery to call on him at his home. For that, he said he was touched and grateful because the Kemaman member of parliament had also given him encouragement in handling his ailment.
Expressing similar sentiments, Rahimah Mamat, the daughter of 65-year-old chronic patient Mek Aisyah Awang — who has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure for the last seven years — was grateful that Ahmad Shabery visited her home.
Ahmad Shabery said chronic patients should be visited as they were voters who should not be forgotten.
After visiting five chronic patients, including Abdullah and Mek Aishah, at the same village, Ahmad Shabery visited the Tujuh Voting Centre in Kampung Tujuh to express support for the Umno staff.
The minister also turned ‘mechanic’ for a fleeting moment when he attempted to change the lubricating oil of a motorcycle belonging to a visitor to the Giat Mara, Giat Dekat Rakyat programme.
The free service was conducted by five trainees from the Kuala Krai Giat Mara where the first 100 motorcycles were given a free change of lubricating oil at the Tujuh Voting Centre that day.
Kuala Krai Giat Mara manager, Abd Wahab Salleh, 52, said the purpose of the service was to assist the government to get closer to the people.
“We will be having another service programme tomorrow morning at the Giat Mara Tumpat,” he said.
The by-election on Sept 25 is held, following the death of its incumbent Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar on Aug 20.
In the by-election, BN’s Mat Razi Mat Ail is being challenged by PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and Independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary. — Bernama
During the 13th General Election, Noor Zahidi retained his seat with a majority of 1,736 votes. — Bernama