BESTARI JAYA: There is no need to speculate over Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s absence from the Rantau by-election campaign trail, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said.
Amirudin, who is also a PKR central leadership council member, pointed out that as a prime minister, Dr Mahathir’s current focus would be on rectifying the country’s economy.
“Dr Mahathir did not campaign in Sungai Kandis by-election, too. (There is) No problem. He managed to campaign in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections.
“There are criteria and a certain degree of priorities and needs that warrant Dr Mahathir to help out with the campaign.
“We must know that currently, Dr Mahathir is working hard to heal the country and the momentum can be clearly seen with the tabling of Felda white paper in Parliament as well as other government initiatives,” Amirudin told reporters today after attending the Higher Institution Debate competition at Universiti Selangor.
Amirudin said in the absence of Dr Mahathir, other top PH leaders had helped to campaign for PH candidate Dr S. Streram’s run for the Rantau state seat.
“I was there to campaign, and so were (PKR deputy president) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president) Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and (Parti Amanah Negara president) Mohamad Sabu.
“So I don’t think there is a need for this matter (Dr Mahathir’s absence) to be speculated.”
In the recently concluded Rantau by-election, incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan of Barisan Nasional obtained 10,397 votes, defeating Dr Streram with a 4,510-vote majority.