‘Legacy of gratitude’ working for Dr M among Langkawi voters – 21 Aug 2017

• Although former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has left Umno for the opposition, his contributions to Langkawi’s development have left a “legacy of gratitude” that is pulling voters in both ways as the next general election nears.
• People interviewed by FMT generally acknowledged their debt to Mahathir for putting Langkawi on the world map, but many islanders appear still staunchly with Umno.
• Marine engineer Hamieazuar Hamizan believes many Langkawi people still feel that they owe Mahathir for what he has done. He said there was no better candidate to represent Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Langkawi than its own chairman.
• Hamieazuar’s sentiments were shared by a taxi driver who only wished to be known as Ahmad, who said although Langkawi was an Umno stronghold, the islanders still sought out Mahathir as they felt the former prime minister could bring changes in the political arena. But, again, he could not deny that the Langkawi people would still likely vote for Umno because they appreciate the contributions and active participation of their MP, Nawawi Ahmad, and Kuah assemblyman Nor Saidi Nanyan.
• Langkawi Tourist Guide Association member Fuziah Mohamed had no doubt that the islanders would support Mahathir although he is now chairman of PPBM. She added that the efforts made by Mahathir now were a continuation of his great legacy.
• Mahathir, from the early years of his prime ministership, focused on developing Langkawi into a world-class tourist haven, building an international airport on the island and making it the host of big-scale events such as the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.
• He also granted duty-free status to Langkawi and set up the Langkawi Development Authority specially to drive its development.

External Link : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/08/21/legacy-of-gratitude-working-for-dr-m-among-langkawi-voters/