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Wives of BN reps must play major role to help connect with the people, says Najib

ALOR STAR: The wives of Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives could form a formidable force in being selected as party candidates to replace their husbands.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the wives of BN representatives have a good chance of being picked as BN candidates in by-elections for as long as they have good rapport with the people in their husbands’ constituency.

Citing an example, Najib, who is also BN chairman, said Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid was picked as the BN candidate in the Kuala Kangsar by-election based on a merit, given her popularity among the constituents as she had always accompanied her late husband, Datuk Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad, to attend programmes with the grassroots.

“The strategy worked well and Datin Mastura won with an even bigger majority in the by-election. She won because she was always close to the rakyat in Kuala Kangsar, although she herself was not a politician,” Najib said.

Najib said the same formula was applied in the selection of Puan Sri Jamilah Anu as the BN candidate for the Tanjong Datu by-election in Sarawak.

The by-election is being held following the passing of Jamilah’s husband, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was also Sarawak chief minister.

“Puan Sri Jamilah was also picked based on merit because she is close to the people by always being there with her late husband to serve the rakyat in Tanjong Datu and attending to their plight.

“It does not means that all the wives of BN reps can be automatically selected as BN candidates, but in instances involving Datin Mastura and Puan Sri Jamilah, they were well-liked by the people because of their care and services when their respective late husbands served as the ‘wakil rakyat’.

“So, if it is fated that the husband passed away while still in office (as elected rep), the voters will be more than happy to support the wife because of their proven track record in the constituency,” Najib said in his speech at dinner at Wisma Darulaman to mark the closing of a five-day Barisan Nasional Elected Representatives Wives Annual Programme (PTIWRBNM) 2016/2017 on Saturday evening.

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is also the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers’ (Bakti) president, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and wife Datin Seri Hizam Awang Ahmad.

Also present were Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man, and Kedah state executive councillors.

Najib urged the wives of BN reps to continue playing an active role in lending a hand to ease the people’s burden and assist them during disasters through their respective associations at state level.

“This noble effort by the wife in sharing the burden of BN’s elected rep is a huge boost for BN in humanising our services to the people,” he said.

In his speech, Najib also paid tribute to Rosmah and all the wives of BN elected reps for their undivided support so that the husbands could focus on their duty to serve the people.

He also commended Ahmad Bashah and Hizam, who is also the Kedah BN Elected Representatives’ Wives Welfare Organisation (Bidara) president, as well as the Kedah government for their excellent effort in ensuring the smooth running of the PTIWRBNM games this year.

In her speech earlier, Rosmah congratulated those involved in organising the programme, and Ahmad Bashah for his support.

Rosmah said that, prior to the programme, they attended a motivational talk by the renowned Islamic preacher Datuk Mohd Kazim Elias, titled “The Role of the Leader’s Wives”.

“Datuk Mohd Kazim advised us to be strong and patient, while being an inspirations to our husbands, whom at this times tend to be tested by various slander and allegations particularly in social media,” she said.-nst

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