Farmers’ Market ‘attacked’ by three PD by-election candidates
PORT DICKSON: The Batu 4 Farmers’ Market at Bagan Pinang here yesterday became the ground of “attack” for three of the candidates contesting in the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election, including PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in their bid to win the hearts of the voters.
The first to arrive at the market, which opens as early as 7 am, was Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who arrived there at about 7.50 am.
Wearing a dark blue shirt, the independent candidate mingled with patrons at the market for about 30 minutes before leaving the area.
Half an hour later, Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, arrived, and spent about 45 minutes mingling with the crowd at the market. He also sat for breakfast at a stall there and showed his talent making “roti canai”, which was received with cheers and applause from his supporters.
As soon as Anwar left, which was about 9.30 am, PAS candidate Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar appeared and was there for about 30 minutes.
According to the local traders, the wet market is a compulsory location for election candidates to visit because it is the place where they get to meet a large number of their voters.
Fruit trader Khairul Afzal Mohd Rais, 36, said the presence of the candidates helped to boost their sales.
“It’s a lively morning in the market today as the presence of the candidates drew more people to come. the people came not just to do their marketing, but to watch the candidates,” he told Bernama.
Despite the hot weather, locals flooded the wet market and were excited to meet the three by-election candidates, some taking the opportunity to shake their hands and have selfies with them.
The Port Dickson parliamentary by-election on Oct 13 will see a sevencornered fight involving Mohd Saiful, Anwar, Mohd Nazari and four other independent candidates, including former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad. - Bernama