'I don't have enemies within the party' - Mat Razi

“I do not have enemies within the party – that is my winning factor.”

Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mat Razi Mat Ali, fresh off his win in the Pengkalan Kubor state constituency seat by-election, attributed his victory to the party’s support.

He was also surprised at the support he received from voters, where he captured a wide 2,635 majority.

“The unexpected support was also my winning factor and I think that I should be closer to the people regardless of party,” he told Astro AWANI here on Thursday.

In a three-cornered fight, Mat Razi defeated PAS' candidate Rosdi Wan Wan Ibrahim and independent, Ismail Bukhary Izat Bukhary.

BN obtained 9,961 votes followed by PAS with 7,335 votes and Independent with 37 votes.

Mat Razi said his first task upon being nominated in the by-election was to visit the locals to hear their grievances.

“They must be helped. We urge all parties and ministries involved to help develop Pengkalan Kubor. As for my immediate future plan, I will refer to UMNO. What is important is to ensure Allahyarham’s work is carried on,” said Mat Razi.

Up to 73% of the 23,929 voters had cast their ballots at the 11 polling centres in the by-election when polling closed at 5 pm Thursday, according to the Election Commission (EC).

The results were announced at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato Biji Wangsa.

The by-election was held following the death of the three-term assemblyman, Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar of the BN, on Aug 20.

Noor Zahidi had retained the seat in the general election held last year with a majority of 1,736 votes, beating Saharun Ibrahim of PKR and Izat Bukhary.