GEORGE TOWN, Aug 2 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) stands a chance to win the Bayan Lepas and Pantai Jerejak seats in the upcoming state elections, said Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
The former Ampang MP said it will be tough for PN to win Penang, but it could form a formidable Opposition front against the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) unity government.
“I am helping PN to campaign to show the voters, especially the non-Muslims that PN is a not an extremist party as portrayed by PH,” she said during a press conference after visiting the PN Pantai Jerejak election centre in Bayan Baru.
Zuraida joined Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau in his walkabouts in Bayan Lepas this morning, and later joined Pantai Jerejak candidate, Oh Tong Keong, for his walkabout at the Pantai Jerejak pasar malam.
The former plantations and commodities minister said DAP used racial scare tactics to turn non-Muslims away from PN because PAS is in the coalition.
“I want the voters to know that if PAS tries to do anything extremist, we are here to make sure it doesn’t happen and none of the Islamic policies will affect the non-Muslims,” she said.
She said Muslims’ support for PN is strong now, more than during the 15th general election last year.
“We are looking at winning five to one,” she said, referring to the six simultaneous state elections.
She said that she believes that apart from retaining Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, PN will be able to win Selangor and Negeri Sembilan too.
She admitted that PN will not be able to win Penang because it remains a PH stronghold.
“So I will come back to Penang to help PN, especially Gerakan, campaign and join the ceramah,” she said.
Zuraida, who calls herself a political activist in support of PN, has also said she is mulling joining Gerakan as she wants to join a party to fill a niche.
She said she has not reached a firm decision yet and will only do so after the state elections.
Zuraida, who was formerly in PKR, joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in February 2020 but left the latter in May 2022.
She then joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) but was sacked in December 2022 after a spat with party president Datuk Larry Sng.
When asked if Gerakan will accept Zuraida as a member, Oh, who is Gerakan deputy president, said the multiracial party is open to accepting anyone as a member.
“If she applies to join us, it will be decided by the central working committee,” he said.
