Malaysia

No rules against Suhakam chief’s candidacy: Zahid

However, resigning would be ethical, Barisan Nasional chairman says 

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 04 Aug 2023 8:00AM

No rules against Suhakam chief’s candidacy: Zahid
Barisan Nasional chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) attends the Kuang constituency ceramah at Bandar Tasik Puteri, last night. – Bernama, August 4, 2023

RAWANG –There is no regulation which prevents the candidacy of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican to represent Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Kuang state constituency in the Selangor state election. 

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had reviewed the matter with lawyers on nominating Hasnal Rezua Merican.  

“There is not even one regulation which bars (the nomination) and I have referred it to our lawyers,” he said in a Kuang constituency ceramah at Bandar Tasik Puteri, last night.

“Actually, we should be grateful because a figure in Suhakam who all this time saw that the fountain of justice should be realised and now that he is a BN candidate, he should not be considered unable to uphold the fountain of justice," he said. 

Hasnal Rezua Merican who was nominated to represent BN for the Kuang state seat will face off against incumbent, Sallehudin Amiruddin (independent) and Mohd Rafiq Abdullah (PN-Bersartu).  

Zahid said besides being a product of Suhakam, Hasnal Rezua Merican is a legal practitioner and he thinks that such a figure should be supported not only by Kuang voters, but should also be supported by the professional body concerned. 

However, he said, according to ethics, it is more appropriate for Hasnal Rezua Merican to withdraw from Suhakam to focus his services on the people of Kuang. 

Regarding the campaign performance of the unity government parties in the six states involved in the state polls, Zahid said he was still not satisfied. 

“The campaigning period is until August 8 which is for early voters, and then from August 8 to August 12 (polling day). The period is short but we are confident that if we are satisfied from now on, then we will not work," he said. 

The deputy prime minister said he would once again go down to the six states with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to greet the machinery and the voters. 

“Also for the voters concerned, we will serve some new things as game changers for these six states,” he said. 

The state election in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan on August 12 will be held simultaneously with the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, with early voting set for August 8. – Bernama, August 4, 2023

Related News

Malaysia / 1mth

PAS rejects UMNO call to test political ties through SG4 polls

Malaysia / 5mth

UMNO hints at Melaka state polls within four months

Malaysia / 1y

PBB to discuss state election preparations at delegates conference

Malaysia / 2y

Zahid's daughter hits out at Anwar's aide over his 'hallucinations'

Malaysia / 2y

Suhakam: Citizenship rights should not be taken away by amendments to the Constitution

Malaysia / 2y

Strong calls for RCI to restore confidence in child protection services

Spotlight

Malaysia

Denying young candidates opportunities risks leadership gap in future - Adam Adli

Malaysia

Na’imah’s constitutional challenge over police probe dismissed by High Court

Malaysia

AGC orders further police probe into allegations against Negeri Sembilan MB

Malaysia

PH-Bersatu rivalry puts political understanding to test in Melaka polls

Malaysia

Muhyiddin’s sedition trial dates vacated pending fresh AGC review

Malaysia

Man in his 20s killed in suspected revenge attack in Banting, three arrested

Malaysia

Prosecution to call 25 witnesses in Saravanan’s RM1.097m corruption trial

Malaysia

Malaysia on cyberattack radar, government steps up security measures

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

World

US strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island in latest limited attacks, report says

You may be interested

Malaysia

Ismail’s move to seek Tuanku Muhriz’s consent seen as recognition of ruler’s legitimacy

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Penang needs to reduce sole reliance on the electrical and electronics sectors – Reezal Merican

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Government maintains decision not to extradite Zakir Naik to India

Malaysia

Prosecution to call 25 witnesses in Saravanan’s RM1.097m corruption trial

Malaysia

Rafizi to appear in Bukit Aman over allegations against Ramanan, speech on AKPS chief

Malaysia

Malaysia to seek Pakistan's cooperation over 130 citizens detained in suspected scam operation

Malaysia

Border agencies seize RM256m in drugs and smuggled goods in 10-month crackdown

Malaysia

Police freeze RM409m in accounts, seize eight properties in corporate mafia probe