Mastura can be the next 'Iron Lady', says Devamany

Could Mastura Mohd Yazid be the next ‘Iron Lady’ like former Cabinet minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz?

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri SK Devamany believed so.

He opined that Mastura, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the upcoming Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election, could be what Rafidah was for the people of Kuala Kangsar, when the latter was the constituency's Member of Parliament from 1986 to 2013.

He also said this was the hope of Kuala Kangsar locals; to see Rafidah’s 'fire' in Mastura, to lead with wisdom and further develop the area.

"I believe Datin Mastura will be a people-oriented leader. Because of who she is, thousands will come to her aid, and it's not because she recently lost her husband.

"Mastura's strength as a woman and experience as a lawyer who has practiced overseas can continue the legacy of past leaders like Rafidah in bringing Kuala Kangsar, Perak and Malaysia to success," he said when met at the MIC headquarters yesterday.

Rafidah, who was the International Trade and Industry Minister from 1987 to 2008, was also the Wanita UMNO chief from 2004 to 2007. She first won the Kuala Kangsar seat in 1986 and served the constituency for six terms.

Meanwhile, Devamany, who is also Perak State Legislative Assembly Speaker, said the support of the Indian community towards BN in Kuala Kangsar has also increased in the last three weeks.

"During my first week of campaigning here, the support was around 60 percent but now it has escalated to 80 percent.

"This is due to the home visits, gathering with voters, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak going down to the ground to help locals with their issues and also Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir helping to solve land and other community issues," he said.

Devamany said, the efforts gave a huge impact and managed to convince those who were earlier doubtful of Barisan Nasional.

"This is assisted by an experienced machinery, led by someone (Zambry) who has experience in working with both Rafidah and Allahyarham Datuk Wan (Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad).

"We have 17 (MIC) branches and nine polling districts running smoothly and systematically. This has helped us to forensically trace the 2,282 voters," he said, adding that the campaign’s success was also attributed to the fluid cooperation between BN components.