ROMPIN: Barisan Nasional's victory in the Tioman state seat election sends out a clear signal that the coalition's partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) has been accepted by the people.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the people have accepted the reason behind the move for BN to merge with PH to form the new unity government in Pahang.
"Certainly, the people are confident and have accepted the BN and PN partnership... or else we might not be able to secure victory in Tioman. They can accept the rationale behind our decision to merge and I had explained a few times on why the Pahang government had to be formed.
"No political blocs could form the state government and if there was no government then the people would be at loss. BN agreed to form the state government (with PH) to continue championing the people's agenda....today's (win) is proof that the BN-PH coalition has been accepted in Tioman and hopefully in other places too," he told reporters after BN's Datuk Seri Johari Hussain retained the Tioman state seat today.
Johari retained the seat with a 573 majority after securing 8,080 votes.
Meanwhile Wan Rosdy, who is the Pahang BN chairman, promised to look into all the promises made during the Tioman polls campaign.
"The pledge made throughout the campaign will be looked into and some might not be able to be approved immediately so I will have to see. For example, matters concerning development will involve a huge cost so I need to look into the allocation before implementing it.
"I will try my best to fulfill the request by the people in Tioman as I am sure whatever they raised is for the benefit of the people here. Surely, some request can be immediately approved and some might need time but I will do my best," he said
On Johari's position as he had previously served as the state executive council member last term, Wan Rosdy said the four-term Tioman assemblyman will continue to serve with his capacity as the Tioman elected representative.
"He will continue to perform his duties as the Tioman assemblyman... an exco can cross to serve into other constituencies but I think that is not an issue," he said.
Meanwhile, Johari said the win showed that people have accepted the unity government in Pahang which was similar to the one formed at the federal level.
"I am grateful for the win and would like to thank the election machinery at federal and state level which had worked tirelessly. The menteri besar (Wan Rosdy) as the Umno liaison officer had coordinated efforts at all levels which resulted towards the win in Tioman," he said.
Prior to the Tioman state election, BN won 16 state seats in Pahang, one less than PN. This resulted in a hung state assembly as no party or coalition had obtained a simple majority of 22 seats before the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah approved the formation of the Pahang government by BN and PH.
The victory today saw BN drawing level with PN with 17 state seats each in Pahang with Pakatan Harapan securing eight.