Danni Rais, the son of veteran politician Rais Yatim, is the Parti Wawasan Negara candidate contesting under the Perikatan Nasional banner in Klawang. JELEBU: Perikatan Nasional’s Klawang candidate, Danni Rais, has denied that Umno grassroots are boycotting his campaign, saying that all the polling district centres are now being jointly managed by the PN and Barisan Nasional election machinery. Danni also said claims that Umno’s operation rooms had been closed throughout the campaign period were part of a narrative peddled by his rivals.
“Propaganda abounds during the campaign period,” he told FMT. Earlier today, Berita Harian reported that Danni played down claims that 16 Umno branches were not backing him in protest against his candidacy. The Parti Wawasan Negara candidate said BN had ensured its polling district centres and operation rooms were reopened after they had been closed for several days by the protesting branches.
On Sunday, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias expressed disappointment after several BN polling district centres in Klawang closed in protest against the decision to give the seat to a PN candidate. Jalaluddin said the closures might have stemmed from those involved “not understanding” the arrangement between BN and PN for the state election. PN and BN, of which Umno is the lynchpin, have forged an informal pact ahead of the Aug 1 polls, which ensures there is no overlap in the seats being contested.
Danni also expressed appreciation for BN’s leadership, including Jalaluddin, for allowing the two coalitions to work together throughout the campaign period. He said there was no coercion behind the collaboration between the two coalitions’ campaign machinery, as it was based on a shared commitment to securing victory for their respective candidates. “Our friends in BN are no strangers to us.
We are championing the same cause, so we are able to work well together,” he said. Asked if being the son of veteran politician and former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Rais Yatim gave him an edge, Danni said he still has a lot to learn from his father’s experience. He also said his decision to enter politics was his own and not the result of pressure from his family.
Danni is involved in a three-cornered contest in Klawang with Pakatan Harapan’s Bakri Sawir and Bersatu’s Adib Musa. Umno had held Klawang since 1986 before Bakri wrested the s…
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