ALOR STAR: Gerakan's victory in Kulim in Saturday's state election is proof Perikatan Nasional has always respected its coalition partner.
Newly elected Kulim assemblyman Wong Chia Zhen said Gerakan's success in securing its only seat in the six-state polls show that the Pas-led coalition has always valued unity and camaraderie.
"Despite some communication shortcomings between the coalition's parties, as expected, we must all adopt "husnuzon" (positive outlook) on the matter.
"Too many criticisms were aimed at Gerakan. But with my own eyes, I see this noble cooperation between Gerakan and Pas in the spirit of Perikatan Nasional," he said in his speech at the Himpunan Mandat Rakyat event at Kedah Pas Complex here yesterday.
On Aug 1, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau was reportedly told to leave the PN Best Mega Ceramah in Tasek Gelugor as he was not invited to join the programme, which featured Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The incident sparked controversy and doubts over Pas's relationship with its coalition partner.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan later responded with a statement that the party does not condone such disrespectful behaviour towards any component party leader in the coalition.
Lau also said that he had moved on from the incident.
Wong yesterday also expressed gratitude for being entrusted with the mandate to represent the people of Kulim in the state assembly.
He attributed the hard work of PN's election machinery for handing Gerakan its first seat in Kedah since 2013.
"Gerakan has returned to Kedah after 10 years and my emotions cannot be described with mere words.
"This is where I must bear the responsibility to ensure that the decision to vote for PN will not be in vain," he added.
In Saturday's elections, Wong won with a 15,536 vote-majority, defeating Pakatan Harapan's Awang Teh.
Wong garnered 23,278 votes, while Awang received 7,742 votes.
The elections also saw PN extend its dominance in Kedah, securing a two-thirds majority after winning 33 out of the 36 state seats in the state.