PN’s Pulai candidate to use campaign period to look into problems faced by voters

JOHOR BARU, Aug 27 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Pulai parliamentary by-election, Zulkifli Jaafar said he will take advantage of the 14-day campaigning period to focus on the people’s problems in the constituency.

He said being a local in the area gives him an added advantage as he is familiar with the area and its people.

“I grew up in Tampoi (a sub-district in Pulai) and it is easier for me to look at various problems faced by the residents, such as flash floods and other long-standing issues.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, I have been closer to the local community. So, in a way, I know the voters here better,” said Zulkifli when met by reporters outside the nomination centre at the Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim here yesterday.

Zulkifli, who is also the Pulai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy division chief, said that he understands that his time is limited throughout the campaign period.

“I will move with my election machinery according to the schedule that has been arranged.

“Despite this, I still hope to be able to campaign in all corners of the Pulai constituency,” he said.

This is the first time that Zulkifli, a businessman and active in several non-governmental organisations (NGO), has been nominated to be a candidate.

The 50-year-old transport and forwarding specialist was previously named as the Kempas candidate for PN in last year’s Johor state election. However, he was later dropped in favour of the Pulai Bersatu division chief.

Earlier, more than 1,000 PN supporters arrived in a show of support for Zulkifli.

Among the party leaders present were Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Radzi Jidin and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

Zulkifli was also joined by Bersatu vice president and PN supreme council member, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee. Other party leaders present were Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Bersatu Johor chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal and senior party member Dr Afif Bahardin, who was recently appointed as the new Taman Medan assemblyman.