JOHOR BAHARU, March 5 – Barisan Nasional’s (BN) excellent service record in Johor Baharu is key factor behind its confidence of retaining the parliamentary seat and two state seats in 13th general election. Johor Baharu BN chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said BN is capable of retaining the Johor Baharu seat and Stulang and Tanjung Puteri, two state seats within the constituency.
“We (Johor Bahru BN ) have the best track record and are not worried to be judged by the people. Johor Baharu parliamentary and the two state seats are safe seats,” said the MP for Johor Baharu at the launch of BN operation rooms
within Johor Baharu constituency in Kampung Melayu Majidee, here last night.
Shahrir said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should not worry about BN’s chances in Johor Baharu as the party has a good record in the stronghold seats.
“The Prime Minister does not have to worry because we (BN) are confident of winning (in Johor Baharu and two state seats), ” said the former cabinet minister.
In 12th general election in 2008, Shahrir beat Hasan Karim of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) with a majority of 25,349 votes, compared to the majority of over 45,000 in 2004 general election. For Tanjung Puteri state seat, Datuk Adam Sumiru of BN beat P.Subramaniam of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) while for Stulang state seat, Mok Chek Hou of BN beat candidates from DAP and PRM.
Adam won with a majority of 13,740 votes while Mok won with a majority of 6,181 votes. Meanwhile, Johor Baharu BN chief election officer, Abu Talib Alias said the number of registered voters in Johor Baharu until Dec 31, 2012, was 97,000, up 8,000 from 2008.
Malay voters still comprise the majority in Johor Baharu with 51 percent, followed by the Chinese with 43 percent while rest are Indians and other races. At the function, Johor Baharu BN launched the Lahad Datu Fund with Shahrir, Adam and Mok each contributing RM1,000 to reduce the burden of families of security forces members killed in the intrusion.
BERNAMA
