PEOPLE in Pekan were shocked and awed by the presence of Pakatan Harapan chairman (PH) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin but they will still vote for Barisan Nasional (BN).

The locals claim that there is “sentimental” value for the current incumbent caretaker prime minister Najib Razak as he inherited the seat from his father.

“In Pekan, there is no impact or even if there is, people are still with Najib,” a contractor only wanted to be known as Jalut told Malaysia Decides today.

However, when Daim and Dr Mahathir went on a walkabout in Pekan town, the people were warm, welcoming and even got a shock.

“It was so surprising that they were here. No matter what, we respect them and they are friendly people. But, when voting comes, we will still pick Najib,” restaurant owner Farah Amirah said.

Businessman Ahmad Shahrul said the welfare of people in Pekan was taken care of and they do not feel the full brunt of the economic effect.

“In Pekan we are well taken care off. We feel happy. We get aid. We don’t get ignored,” he said when met.

The 36-year old also reasoned that Malaysia is still maturing and the current government was ironing out kinks in its system.

“We are a young country. We have problems but it will be resolved in the near future. We would be successful,” Ahmad Shahrul said.

Dr Mahathir, who is PH’s prime minister candidate, visited Pahang on his nationwide tour in this campaign trail.

He also met with Daim, who is known for operating behind the scenes but has come out in recent days to campaign for the PH opposition coalition.

The former finance minister has openly championed PH candidates such as caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, Lembah Pantai’s PKR candidate Fahmi Fadzil, Pendang candidate Wan Saiful Wan Jan and now in Pekan, Bersatu’s Zahid Mat Arip.

The former banker’s grouse with Najib is that he has not implemented proper financial and economic policies which has not benefitted Malaysia.

Daim also intends to go back to campaign for Dr Mahathir in Langkawi where he once was the development authority’s head. – May 3, 2018.