KULIM: Perikatan Nasional's (PN) victory in Padang Serai is a sign of public disapproval towards the unity government's Cabinet selection, said newly elected Padang Serai Member of Parliament, Datuk Azman Nasrudin.
Azman claimed that voters had responded in disgust towards the controversial appointment of Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Prime Minister.
He further claimed that the results also proved that voters in Padang Serai had rejected the 'traitor' narrative thrown at him by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in their campaign.
"I believe that this decision is a clear message from Malaysians and the people of Padang Serai who reject the kleptocrat government and cabinet.
"They oppose the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is facing corruption charges as Deputy Prime Minister.
"To them, the real act of betrayal was Ahmad Zahid's appointment as DPM by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"It is also a clear signal that our new Prime Minister must be careful because the people will constantly judge decisions made by him and his Cabinet members," he told reporters after the official announcement of his victory by the Election Commission at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park Sports Complex here last night.
Azman, who is also Lunas assemblyman, thanked PN's election machinery for their hard work to achieve the victory.
He said he aspired to carry out his duties as an opposition MP together with PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"I aspire to work together with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the other elected representatives to serve as credible opposition to the PH and BN unity government.
"I will represent the voices of the Padang Serai constituents in Parliament," he added.
Azman added that following his victory in Padang Serai, he would not be defending the Lunas state seat in the upcoming state election.
Azman managed to wrest the Padang Serai parliament seat from PH with 16,260 majority votes in a six-cornered battle.
The Padang Serai parliamentary seat was previously held by PH's M. Karupaiya who secured a 8,813 vote-majority win, beating MCA candidate Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong and Mohammad Sobri Osman from Pas in the previous general election.
Karupaiya, 69, was nominated again by PH on Nov 5 to defend the seat. However, he died on Nov 16, two days after being admitted to Kulim Hospital due to a heart attack while campaigning.
Following his death, the Election Commission had decided to postpone the Padang Serai polls to Dec 7.