BARISAN Nasional candidate Mohamad Hasan said he has done much for Indians in Negri Sembilan, reminding them of his 14 years as menteri besar and Rantau assemblyman.

“No need to listen to what others say. There are those who claim that in my 14 years as menteri besar, I did nothing. I don’t know which cave they live in. My administration did a lot.

“I resolved a lot of problems in Negri Sembilan, especially those faced by the Indian community. From temple issues to land and Indian schools… they were resolved.

“There are more temples than mosques in Rantau, and yet, there are those who call me a racist. These people are not right in the head,” he said at a by-election campaign event in Taman Bandar Ekar last night.

Voters The Malaysian Insight approached agreed with Mohamad, saying they believe him to be a better pick than Pakatan Harapan’s Dr S. Streram.

Wong Chee Keong said Mohamad’s administration did a lot for the Chinese community, and that Dr Streram was only present during the campaign.

“We have seen what Tok Mat has done for us. Dr Streram popped up only during the elections. I haven’t met Dr Streram. He says he has been to Rantau, but maybe it’s just to meet his friend,” said the 39-year-old at the BN event.

“Tok Mat cleaned up Dataran Rantau, he upgraded Mambau town, he helped Chinese schools and temples.”

Prakash Ragu, 36, said life under the new government has not improved, especially for the needy.

“Tok Mat did many things for us. When there were floods here, I saw him going down to the ground.

“But now, there are so many problems. The government isn’t helping the needy. Things are getting worse.”

Najib Razak acknowledged Mohamad’s contributions to the state, citing as an example the development in Bandar Sri Sendayan.

“If we want a change in the political landscape, we must ensure Tok Mat wins big in the Rantau by-election. He has done a lot for us,” said the former prime minister in his speech.

Rantau has 11,283 voters, comprising 55.11% Malays, 26.06% Indians and 18.8% Chinese.

The April 13 by-election is a four-cornered contest between Mohamad, Dr Streram, and independents R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin. – April 6, 2019.