A KEDAH Umno leader believes that former party veteran, Daim Zainuddin, has no influence or credible information to presume on the outcome of the 14th general elections.

Former state executive councilor Suraya Yaacob said that Daim’s expectations that Kedah would fall into the hands of the opposition were baseless.

“Daim did not see anyone, and only met the party machinery. All that was reported was on social media. Daim has no influence at all,” the Sungai Tiang candidate said to Malaysia Decides in Alor Setar, Kedah.

Suraya said that the former Merbok MP was never seen interacting with the people in his area when he was in office from 1986 to 2004.

“He had contested the Merbok seat, but had never campaigned and met the people.

“He is just a former finance minister and has never been in contact with the people, so we think Daim has no influence on PH’s (chances of) victory,” he said.

Daim was the only person who correctly predicted the outcome of the 2008 general election.

According to him, the opposition parties would seize five states, including Kedah, in the general election.

Daim’s prediction ahead of the 2013 general election that Najib Razak’s party would win was also correct. He was backing Najib at the time.

This time, Daim has shifted his support to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who now leads the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Analysts say this development cannot be taken lightly because the people who support Mahathir have their reasons to back the former prime minister.

According to Universiti Malaya analyst Prof Madya Awang Azman Awang Pawi, Daim seems confident and almost certain that PH will win this election.

In Kedah, he is actively campaigning and meeting with the people in Pendang, as PH candidates are contesting the Pendang parliamentary seat and two state seats, Sungai Tiang and Tokai.

In addition to Pendang, Daim also has similar events in Jitra.

He has also visited the Port Klang area in Selangor and Langkawi to assist PH’s campaign. – May 3, 2018.