[UPDATED] GE15: ‘leaked’ list of Johor BN candidates raises simmering questions

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno insiders have rubbished a purportedly leaked list of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the forthcoming 15th general election (GE15).

The list includes names of those supposedly set to be fielded at all 25 parliamentary seats in the southern state.

Among the names are Johor BN chairman and former menteri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, who is listed as a possible contender in Simpang Renggam.

Interestingly, Hasni was reported to have confirmed that he is slated to run for a federal seat in this election. 

The Benut assemblyman was quoted by Bernama this afternoon as saying that he is the only state rep from BN entrusted to vie for Parliament. This effectively corroborates what is stated about his inclusion in the list in question.

The most noticeable name that is dropped, according to the list, is Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is Pontian incumbent.

Pontian Umno division vice-chief Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan is named in his stead for the constituency.

However, a party insider had dismissed the list, stating that nothing had been finalised. 

Moreover, the source stated that it is very unlikely that Ahmad would be dropped as a candidate, as he has campaigned heavily in Pontian.

“Nothing is set in stone yet, but the fact that Ahmad’s name was dropped should give you the indication that the list is fake,” he said.

In response, Ahmad had told Malaysiakini that the list was downright fake and might as well be drafted by a “street peddler”.

“There are stacks of lists…anybody can type them. Even a street peddler can type them,'' he said as quoted by Malaysiakini.

The same party source, however, said Ahmad did not take well to the circulation of the list.

“To say he was pissed, to say the least, is an understatement. The fact that he responded personally to rebuke the list already says a lot,” he said.

In recent weeks, Ahmad has reiterated that he intends to defend the Pontian parliamentary seat, but has referred the decision entirely to party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Meanwhile, Bernama also quoted Hasni as saying that MCA and MIC will each contest eight and one parliamentary seats respectively in GE15 – the same number of seats contested by the parties in GE14. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022