“If 90% of voters came out, and 90% of them support PN, we will win,” said PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Your job is easy – get 90% of Malay voters to come out to vote for PN,” he said at a PN gathering when announcing the coalition’s candidate for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections.
The former Umno deputy president said that despite Johor being Umno’s birthplace, the party has waned in popularity and Malays there have shifted their support to PN.
Umno’s downfall could not be blamed on PN, he added.
“It has been destroyed by none other than the Umno president.
“You mark (vote) for BN, you get Lim Guan Eng. The Chinese voted for DAP but got Umno. That is the reality with Umno,” said Muhyiddin.
“It’s not the same now. Umno, which was once at the forefront in fighting for the Malays, has been destroyed. Their replacement today is none other than Bersatu and PAS.”
Noting that the Chinese and Indian electorate continue to be sceptical about PN, he blamed it on “disinformation” by irresponsible quarters.
He also assured both communities that their concerns would be properly addressed, adding that there is a concerted effort to push the interests of the Indians in PN through the formation of a new party.
Muhyiddin also said that a bigger win awaits PN if at least 20% of non-Malays vote in their favour at the upcoming by-elections.
The coalition named businessman Zulkifli Jaafar of Bersatu as its candidate for the Pulai parliamentary seat. Vascular surgeon Dr Mazri Yahya of PAS will stand in the Simpang Jeram state by-election. Both by-elections are set for Sept 9.
The seats fell vacant after the death of Pulai MP and Simpang Jeram state assemblyman Salahuddin Ayub, who died at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar on July 23 after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage. The Amanah deputy president was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
Pakatan Harapan will be represented by former Johor state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat, who will stand in Pulai, while Nazri Abdul Rahman is contesting in Simpang Jeram. Both men are from Amanah.