PN's Khaliq ready to take on BN's heavyweight Reezal Merican

KEPALA BATAS - Perikatan Nasional (PN) Bertam candidate Khaliq Mehtan Mohd Ishaq is optimistic of winning the state seat despite facing a challenge from Barisan Nasional heavyweight Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Khaliq said that he was aware that Reezal was a national figure who had previously served as a minister and the Kepala Batas MP.

However, he believed that Reezal was "coming down" in the upcoming state election.

"It’s a big challenge for me, but I will always be optimistic and will try to win the rakyat of Bertam," Khaliq told Sinar Daily at the Seri Malaysia Hotel here today.

Khaliq said that he was aware that the 14-day campaign period would be "full swing" for him, but he was determined to win the election.

"Well, I think being tired during the campaign is part and parcel of the campaign for every election. However, for the rakyat of Bertam and Penang, I will always motivate myself," he added.

Khaliq and Reezal will be contesting for the Bertam state seat in the upcoming Penang state election, which will be held on Aug 12.

In the 14th General Election, Khaliq Mehtab, who contested on a Pakatan Harapan ticket, won the seat with a majority of 219 votes after garnering 6,485 votes, defeating Shariful Azhar Othman of BN, who obtained 6,268 votes and Mokhtar Ramli from Pas, who received 2,986 votes.

However, on Feb 24, 2020, Khaliq Mehtab withdrew his support for the Pakatan state government in favour of Bersatu, under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership, who is also Perikatan chairman.