KUALA LUMPUR – Arau Umno division chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was dropped as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate and replaced with another so as to meet the needs of Perlis voters, party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
He said that Shahidan, an Umno veteran and parliamentarian, was qualified to be a candidate, but BN had to “take into account the needs of local voters and Perlis”, Free Malaysia Today quoted him as saying.
He was speaking outside the Kuala Lumpur court complex where he attended his Yayasan Akalbudi corruption trial.
Shahidan, who is the caretaker federal territories minister, was dropped from BN’s list of candidates for the 15th general election (GE15). Replacing him is Arau Umno Youth chief Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman.
Soon after BN’s announcement of its candidates last night, Shahidan said he would contest in Arau in GE15 nevertheless, possibly as an independent.
“I am a winnable candidate so I should have a chance to defend my seat.”
Notably, Perikatan Nasional (PN), who also announced its candidates last night, did not name a candidate for Arau, furthering speculation that the coalition might import Shahidan.
Perlis PN chief Shukri Ramli has been reported saying that talks are ongoing about the matter.
Zahid in a Facebook post earlier today warned those dropped as candidates not to sabotage those contesting. – The Vibes, November 2, 2022
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