Tuesday, 30 April 2013

GE13: Najib and Muhyiddin mobilise to retain Johor as coalition’s southern stronghold

PETALING JAYA: The top two leaders of Barisan Nasional converged in Johor to boost the momentum of the campaign and retain the state as the coalition's southern stronghold.

Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin spent the day campaigning in the state that is seeing some of the most keen contests in the 13th general election.

Johor is the home state of Muhyiddin, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, party youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and MIC deputy president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

The Prime Minister said the culture of moderation and accommodation known as “The Johor Way” had contributed greatly to the success of the state which would be threatened if Pakatan Rakyat seized power.

“I am appealing to the people to hold on to that (culture of moderation and accommodation) because the big dreams of the state will otherwise disappear, and that will be a sad day for Johor,” he told a gathering in Pekan Nanas, Pontian.

“Do not be fooled by the empty promises made by the Opposition. Sweet and honeyed promises sometimes contain poison.”

Muhyiddin, meanwhile, said it was easy to be taken in by the promises in Pakatan's manifesto.

“But if they were to implement all their plans, the country will go bankrupt in two years,” he said when launching the Felcra Bukit Kepong rural water supply project at SMK Felcra Bukit Kepong in Pagoh yesterday.

He said the opposition parties were constantly at odds with each other and could not agree on various issues.

“DAP and PAS are like two people sleeping on one pillow but have different dreams,” he added.

Barisan and Pakatan heavyweights are contesting several seats in Johor, with the focus being on the battle between Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang in the Gelang Patah parliamen- tary constituency.

Other contests for parliamentary seats, which are being closely watched, include the fight for Segamat, where Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng is taking on Dr Subramaniam.

PAS is also trying to make inroads in the state, led by vice-president Salahuddin Ayub who is contesting in the Pulai parliamentary and Nusajaya state constituencies.

Opposition leaders, such as PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, have been making frequent visits to Johor, speaking at several ceramah since nomination day.

(Source: The Star Online)

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