Perkasa leader Zulkifli Noordin’s candidacy for the Shah Alam parliamentary seat played a role in helping Pakatan Rakyat to win big in Selangor, said DAP today.

“We believe that Zulkilfi’s candidacy in Shah Alam played a crucial role in ensuring Pakatan win bigger majority in Selangor,” said state DAP deputy chief Tony Pua at a press conference today.

Also present were DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke, Selangor chief Teresa Kok, and Serdang MP Ong Kian Meng.

Yesterday, PAS candidate Khalid Samad trounced Zulkifli by garnering 49,009 votes, as opposed to the latter’s 38,070.

Overall, Pakatan also gained two third majority hold in the state assembly, by winning 44 out of the 56 state seats contested.

When met later, Ong said that even during his campaigns, many in his constituency were appalled over Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Najib Tun Razak’s endorsement to Zulkifli’s candidacy.

The first term MP added that the Perkasa leader’s candidacy made a huge dent in BN’s bid recapture the state from Pakatan.

“Wherever I go, the Indian community asked me about Zulkifli and gave me negative reactions. They see him as a racist and an inept leader,” he said.

Ong added that Zulkifli’s candidacy also showed that Najib has no control over Umno due to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s influence.

“Zulkifli’s candidacy shows Najib’s decision is still being dictated by Mahathir,” he said.

Last month, Najib shocked the masses by announcing that Zulkifli would contest for the Shah Alam parliamentary seat as a direct BN candidate.

He made the decision despite huge criticism against Zulkifli who had insulted Indians in a video taken several years back.

Queried on the matter, Najib had said that the Indians have forgiven Zulkifli and described the latter as winnable candidate.

-FMT