WITH polling day just a day away, Kuala Lumpur voters are faced with the task of either retaining the current managers of the capital city or changing them. FT Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique is confident that the people will make the right choice and vote for the Barisan.

ZULHASNAN Rafique is confident that the public will do the right thing and feels that Barisan Nasional will be able to do better in the Federal Territories this general election.

StarMetro: Do you believe that the Barisan could retain the nine seats it now holds in Kuala Lumpur and wrest the other four from the Opposition?

Zulhasnan: We are confident that we can retain the current nine seats. The Barisan Nasional has been working as one team to go all out to wrest the four seats held by the Opposition. We lost two of them - Bukit Bintang and Kepong - by only a small majority in the last general election.

We have our strategy, and the Barisan component parties have fielded some new faces we believe will put up challenging fights in Kepong, Bukit Bintang, Cheras and Seputeh. I am confident that our candidates will win the people's trust.

StarMetro: What do you think of the fight in Lembah Pantai?

Zulhasnan: Incumbent MP Datuk Seri Shahrizat has done a lot in Lembah Pantai for more than a decade. She often goes to the ground to meet the people despite her hectic schedule, not to mention the times that she has to attend to duties outstation. It will be a healthy fight.

StarMetro: What about the other areas?

Zulhasnan: The FT Barisan election machinery has been activated in all the parliamentary constituencies and is running in full gear. We have been conducting ceramahs and meet-the-people sessions almost every night since nomination day.

Each candidate has his or her own strategies and tactics to deal with his or her own area. Our candidates also have been addressing issues raised by the Opposition. I am confident that everyone will carry out his or her duties efficiently and effectively.

StarMetro: What about areas with Malay-majority voters, where PAS and PKR candidates are contesting? Wouldn't they affect the Barisan chances?

Zulhasnan: Umno has an excellent track record in five of the areas it holds - Setiawangsa, Titiwangsa, Lembah Pantai, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Our elected representatives have done a great job servicing the community in these areas. The people know that. We are confident that they will vote for the Barisan.

StarMetro: How are the Indians and other races responding to the Barisan?

Zulhasnan: There has never been any problem with the non-bumiputra community in Setiawangsa. The Barisan component parties have worked well as a team over the years.

When there is an MIC event or an MCA function, all races join in. It's always been like that in the FT.

If there are problems, we solve them together. If there are good things, all races get an equal share of the opportunities.

StarMetro: You are an advocate of family morals and values. How much does family values form part of your campaign?

Zulhasnan: Everything starts at home. Family support provides me with the moral boost that I need to sustain me in this campaign.

No matter how busy I am, I make it a point to spend as much time as I can with my wife and children.

StarMetro: There is this sentiment that people are voting for candidates and not for the party. What do you think?

Zulhasnan: What is important is our service for the people. I don't wait for the rakyat to come to me. I'd rather go to them. Ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. We work for the people.

StarMetro: An MP should be able to solve both national and local issues. Do you agree?

Zulhasnan: Of course! You should be well versed with local issues and also be able to resolve national issues. That is the only way to rebut the false allegations made by the opposition parties.

The people need an MP that they can trust and who can highlight their troubles and resolve it.

StarMetro: What do you think of your opponent Ibrahim Yaacob of the PKR?

Zulhasnan: To me, ours is a friendly match. What's important is that we both practise a healthy, safe and peaceful campaign.

StarMetro: How would you rate your achievement in the two years that you were the Federal Territories Minister?

Zulhasnan: When I was appointed FT minister on Feb 14, 2006, my initial task was is to create and promote a brand new identity and image for the three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. We began by unveiling a new flag, accompanied by a new song.

Apart from the development programmes initiated, the Federal Territories Ministry now have its own civil awards for citizens who have contributed to the well-being and development of the territories.

There are also big plans to upgrade the living conditions of the lower income earners in the city.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall will be processing applications for sale of PPR (Public Housing Schemes) units to the deserving applicants of all races soon.

The older PPR units in the city would be upgraded and more will also be built in the city.

The FT has also received some perks such as the declaration of Thaipusam as a national holiday, which I think, is a spiritual boost for the people of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

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