KUALA LUMPUR – Umno insiders are alleging that those perceived to be not aligned with party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be axed as candidates in the 15th general election (GE15).
Big names such as Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar as well as incumbent Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman are being given the boot, with speculation that this will be fate for those aligned with vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The same goes for incumbent Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who has been a vocal supporter of Ismail Sabri and Umno’s Muafakat Nasional pact with PAS.
Party insiders said other senior politicians who will not make the cut are incumbent Tenggara MP Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba as well as incumbent Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.
It was rumoured that former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin is to be fielded in Kota Tinggi instead.
Incumbent Padang Besar MP Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin will be replaced by Puteri Umno chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan.
According to sources, incumbent Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim may be dropped as well.
However, sources said the candidate list for GE15 has yet to be finalised and is subject to change prior to nomination day this Saturday.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan reportedly said the party is due to announce its candidate list on Tuesday.
Malaysians will head to the ballot box on November 19 while early polling is on November 15. – The Vibes, October 31, 2022
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