No respite for candidates in by-elections even on public holiday

Campaigning for candidates in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections continued despite the public holiday for Merdeka. Candidates held Merdeka eve events, including ceramah with supporters.

Pakatan Harapan’s Pulai candidate Suhaizan Kayat said celebrating the country’s 66th independence anniversary was special for him as he was on the campaign trail. He mentioned that people are always very patriotic during Merdeka, putting up the Malaysian flag and singing patriotic songs together.

His opponent, Perikatan Nasional’s Zulkifli Jaafar, stated that his campaigning during Merdeka went well. Despite it being a public holiday, he planned to continue meeting with voters.

In Muar, Simpang Jeram by-election candidates and their supporters were seen handing out Jalur Gemilang to the public since Merdeka eve. Pakatan candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman expressed that this year’s Merdeka celebration was different for him as it coincided with the election. Winning the election would make the Merdeka celebration even more meaningful for him as he aimed to continue the legacy of helping the people in the area left behind by Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

Nazri highlighted that the significance of Merdeka should go beyond celebrating the country’s independence. He believed that true independence also meant being independent in thinking and actions. While there are national principles like maintaining unity that should be upheld, he advocated for independence in thoughts and actions.

On the other hand, Perikatan candidate Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya shared that Merdeka this year was not much different from previous years for him. As an NGO runner and active in social work, he usually spent his Merdeka day serving the people. This year, his schedule was more hectic due to his candidacy. He believed that a country only achieves true independence when it has just leaders who do not lie.