PUTRAJAYA – “I will not run away to anywhere, I will still be contesting there (Tambun) even if a typhoon hits (the area),” said incumbent Tambun MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
The Bersatu deputy president, also known as Peja, said this as he gears up to face Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the coveted seat in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Faizal said if PH had named Anwar, who is also PKR president, as its prime minister candidate, the former Perak menteri besar would position himself as being a local-born candidate who would be of service to the area’s people.
“We practise democracy… if there are Malaysians eligible as candidates to contest against me, I will have to face it.
“What’s important is not because it’s Anwar Ibrahim or Peja. The most important thing is (serving) the people,” he told reporters at the closing of the Global Young Executives Forum 2022 (FEMG22), here, today.
In GE14, Faizal contested on a PH ticket but used the PKR logo when he won in a three-cornered fight against the Barisan Nasional and PAS candidates. He garnered 38,661 votes with a majority of 5,320.
Asked on PH fielding Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz – the son of the late PAS leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat – as a candidate in Perak, Faizal hoped that all parties would be campaigning in a courteous manner to ensure the country’s political stability.
Faizal, who is also Perak Perikatan Nasional chairman, said although PH would be fielding several candidates from outside the state, he was happy that democracy still prevailed in the country.
Earlier, he said in his FEMG22 closing speech that he hoped Malaysian youth aged 18 and above would exercise their rights by voting in GE15.
“This is the time for them to choose leaders who could steer the country’s administration to greater heights. I believe our youth are mature enough to undertake this responsibility in the interests of the people and in creating a brighter future for the country.
“Choose leaders who really understand the people’s needs and who always place the interest of the country at the top,” he said.
FEMG22, which targeted youth in the public sector inside and outside the country, served as a two-way platform between national and young leaders in voicing out views to shape the country’s future. – Bernama, October 27, 2022
