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PONTIAN – The leadership of Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is described as successfully balancing the relationship between the Federal government and the state government despite the contest between parties in the Johor State Election (PRN).
BN candidate for the Benut state seat, Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said, the situation proves that the country's political landscape is now becoming more mature when competition at the state level does not affect the cooperation established within the Unity Government at the Federal level.
"The matter of the state must be separated from the overall government. Whether there is a clash or no clash, we have to understand that the current political situation happens that way," he said when met at the Benut State Seat Main Committee Room (BGU) in Kampung Parit Ismail, Benut here, on Wednesday.
The Benut state seat witnesses a two-cornered clash between the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate from Parti Amanah Negara, Abdul Razak Ismail and Mohd Sumali.
Benut, which has been held by former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad since 2008, is a traditional BN stronghold.
Commenting further, Sumali said, the presence of Ahmad Zahid on the ground consistently throughout the campaign period shows the seriousness of the BN leadership.
"Because this is the first state election after Sabah, I think this is an indicator that people want to see which direction voter support is moving according to the current situation," he said again.
He said, Ahmad Zahid not only played a role as the party president in strengthening the election machinery, but also brought the policy messages and achievements of the government to the community at the grassroots level.
According to Sumali, the approach completes the relationship between the Federal Government leadership led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Johor administration spearheaded by Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
In the meantime, he defended the leadership of Onn Hafiz who, according to him, has successfully attracted investments as well as introduced various policies and assistance that benefit the people of Johor.
"Many people like the Johor Menteri Besar. A young leader who has a broad and far-reaching vision," he added.
