TUMPAT: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, Mat Razi Mat Ail is banking on every vote, even from his former students, to secure victory.
"Come home and help me, when else can you help your teacher," he called to his ex students at a press conference here today.
Mat Razi, 48, who formerly taught at Sekolah Menengah Geting, here, wants his ex-students to cast their votes, in his favour, come polling day, Sept 25.
"You may not have liked me or I could have offended you when I was your teacher, but I apologise and I hope you would come home and vote, even if you are outside Kelantan or in other districts," he said.
Meanwhile, he said it was normal for the opposition to question his personality, and his 'ustaz' title.
"Apart from that, the opposition has not said anything to dent my reputation, and the people's acceptance of me is getting better," he said.
On how he kept himself physically and mentally up to the mark throughout the campaign, Mat Razi said he drank 'zam-zam' water mixed with honey and kurma (date) vinegar.
"I also like to take garlic with my rice for added strength," he said.
The Pangkalan Kubor by-election was called following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar from cancer on Aug 20.
Mat Razi will be facing PAS' Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and Independent, Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.
At the 13th general election last year, Noor Zahidi defeated PKR's Saharun Ibrahim and independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary with a 1,736-vote majority.