[UPDATED] Tok Mat among BN top brass to run in coming polls

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno number two Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is among Barisan Nasional leaders contesting in the state elections next month.

The defence minister, who is also Rembau MP, will be defending his Rantau state seat.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also announced other big names, including former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Bertam, Penang), Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (Pertang, Negri Sembilan), Selangor Umno chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin (Gombak Setia, Selangor), Kedah Umno chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Pedu, Kedah) and Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said (Kijal, Terengganu).

Other notable candidates include Suhakam commissioner Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican, who will be contesting in Kuang, Selangor.

Najib Isa, the son of former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, will contest Bagan Pinang, which was once held by his father.

Isa’s wife, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, who is also Negri Sembilan Umno Wanita chief, has been named as the BN candidate for Juasseh.

In Penang, BN will field six candidates, including in Sg Acheh, which was once an Umno stronghold before it fell to PKR in 2018.

However, in 2020, its assemblyman Zulkifli Ibrahim defected to Bersatu.

BN will field 15 candidates in Kedah, 17 in Negri Sembilan, 27 in Terengganu and 31 in Kelantan.

“We want to build state governments that respect everyone and set aside racial and religious differences,” Zahid said at the BN candidate announcement ceremony at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur tonight.

“We are confident in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership as prime minister, and we are convinced that the people will give their full support to unity government candidates.

“I hope that with the spirit of BN party supporters and our machinery, we can move in sync to ensure our candidates will form the governments in these six states.” – The Vibes, July 21, 2023