He may be an election newbie, but Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad looks like he understands just how important a simple smile can be to his campaign.

The candidate of choice in BN’s fight for the Kerdau state seat, Syed Ibrahim has been on his feet from dawn till late into the twilight hours since he was nominated last Saturday, and he knows the pace will only get worse as he draws closer to polling day on Sunday.

But to win over voters, the Master’s graduate in Arabic from the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Egypt prefers to keep things simple - by going straight to meet the voters.

“We have to move around a lot, even if it means going back to the same places and meeting the same people. We have to repeatedly visit them,” he said when met on his campaign rounds.

Syed Ibrahim ( ri NONE ght in photo ) said there have been times where voters have started calling him “YB” ( Yang Berhormat), as elected representatives are often called, but said he doesn’t want to let it go to his head.

“This is normal, they’re just joking. But we can’t take their support lightly. Alhamdullilah , I have been getting strong support and my body is still strong,” he said.

Syed Ibrahim, who at one time was religious advisor to the menteri besar, said he is heartened by the reception from voters, claiming that he has not had any problems with them or encountered anyone avoiding him.        

“ Alhamdullilah , (I) haven’t buried my forehead in my hand (as a sign of anxiety). I have slept well from the start,” he said with a smile.

People want 'religion and development'

Syed Ibrahim disagreed with PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s assertion that Kerdau’s voters need development more than religious guidance, saying this is merely a political statement.

“That (the statement) is normal. All places want religion and development. I don’t think there is one place that only wants religion, while another wants development, or this one doesn’t want religion while that place doesn’t want development.

T pas muktamar 130610 tuan ibrahim tuan man uan Ibrahim ( left ) had said Kerdau needs a professional, as represented by PAS’ candidate and career quantity surveyor Hassanuddin Salim, and not a religious leader.

Syed Ibrahim, meanwhile, is optimistic on his chances, despite the expected onslaught from the opposition which is expected to put as much pressure as possible on Felda issues.

“From the start of nomination day, so many people have come to show their support for our deputy prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) who led the procession (to the nomination centre)," he added.

“This shows their support (for BN). Everyone has their own way of approaching voters, and I am sure with BN’s strategic prowess, we will be able to defend Kerdau."