THE appearance of former Umno leaders Rafidah Aziz and Daim Zainuddin alongside Pakatan Harapan chiefs in Malacca last night further strengthened the confidence of some voters in the opposition.

For some voters, seeing Rafidah, who was Umno Wanita chief and international trade and industry minister, and Daim, former finance minister, working with the opposition has dispelled fears Malay rights will be eroded if PH takes over the government.

“If the leadership can unite despite what has happened in the past, it shows they can form the government,” said 35-year-old Amir Ibrahim.

The father of one had always voted for Barisan Nasional because he feared the Malays would lose their rights if the opposition was in charge.

“I had that fear. But now, (I fear) no more. I feel it is time to give to PH the contract to manage Malaysia,” he told Malaysia Decides.

Retiree David Lim, 78, said he would be voting for the 14th time this May 9.

He said the Chinese used to hate former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who now headed PH, but the community had since embraced him because he had admitted to making mistakes in the past and had showed a desire to correct them.

“I can tell you the truth that in the beginning I did not like Dr Mahathir. But he has over time shown that he he want to correct his wrongs and that is important,” said Lim.

“Rafidah and Daim’s presence also made a difference.”

Lim and Amir were among thousands who attended the PH event in Bukit Katil last night.

The Bukit Katil parliamentary seat has been renamed Hang Tuah Jaya after the redrawing of the electoral map.

Incumbent Shamsul Iskandar from PKR will face BN’s Ali Rustam and PAS’ Mohamad Nasir Othman in this election. – May 5, 2018.