Sanusi to continue campaigning to promote PN candidates following protests

ALOR SETAR - Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he would continue campaigning to entice voters to vote for Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates despite some protests by fellow coalition members.

Sanusi said the resistance from the grassroots in some states against several candidates selected by the coalition would not affect support for PN.

Following the recent candidate announcement, several coalition members have decided to run as independent candidates.

"Things have already happened. The party (central level) has also acted. I was informed that there is already a letter for dismissing the party members who run as independent candidates. That's the only action at this stage," the Caretaker state Mentri Besar said.

He was asked to comment on the actions of former Langkawi Pas deputy chairman Mazlan Ahmad and Langkawi Pas Youth deputy chief Safwan Hanif Shafie, who each ran as an independent candidate in the Kuah and Ayer Hangat state elections as a protest against PN's external candidates.

Meanwhile, in Kota Siputeh, PN supporters lowered the coalition's flag as a sign of dissatisfaction with the external candidate highlighted by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

In Bayan Lepas, Penang, Pas leaders openly criticised Gerakan President Datuk Dominic Lau featured as the PN candidate in the Malay majority seat.

When asked whether PN is worried about the possibility of a protest vote in the affected areas, Sanusi said he remains optimistic and would continue campaigning.

"We must remain steadfast in encouraging people to vote for PN. That's all," he said.