JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 31 — Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat knows he has big shoes to fill by contesting in the September 9 Pulai parliamentary by-election.
However, he is unfazed by the fact that voters in the constituency will be comparing him to his 'mentor’ and Pulai incumbent, the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, because he feels that every leader has his own strength and qualities.
"I can't stop people from comparing me with a figure like (the late) Salahuddin. My mentor and I have our own strengths and the people have the right to judge it for themselves.
"My duty and mission is to ensure the Rahmah legacy mooted by Salahuddin is continued and improved on to help the people, particularly those in the B40 group," he told Bernama here today.
Although that is quite a big responsibility, Suhaizan said it is not an unusual task as Salahuddin used to frequently entrust him with taking care of the Pulai constituency, owing to his position as the political secretary to the minister.
He pointed out that during his time serving Salahuddin, almost 70 per cent of his duties involved assignments in Pulai compared to Putrajaya, adding that he had been involved in the Rahmah initiative right from the beginning.
"This is the legacy left behind by Salahuddin and the trust placed on me to continue this struggle for the people of Pulai when given the mandate to be their elected representative,” said Suhaizan, who used to serve as the Johor State Legislative Assembly Speaker.
He also gave an assurance that he would serve wisely and not sideline any community.
In the Pulai parliamentary by-election, Suhaizan will be involved in a three-cornered fight against Zulkifli Jaafar of Perikatan Nasional and independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.
The Pulai parliamentary by-election and Simpang Jeram state by-election are being held following Salahuddin's death on July 23.
The Election Commission (EC) set polling for the two by-elections on September 9, with early voting on September 5.
— Bernama
