“Permatang Pauh has been a black area for the BN all this while, but this time, we are getting a warmer response,” he said after a walkabout at the Penanti wet market here.

Zaidi, who is a former teacher, said incumbent MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had been too focused on national issues but paid little attention to local needs.

In fact, he said, she was rarely seen in the constituency.

“I have personally looked into repairing 200 rural roads in Permatang Pauh in the last three years, thanks to funds from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

“I have also installed 1,200 street lamps in the constituency and upgraded 17 school halls,” he said.

Zaidi said he was now a household name among the people of Permatang Pauh as he has made friends with almost everyone.

PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar will face Zaidi and Penang PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden in the coming polls.

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