MALACCA: Four Jasin Umno leaders have been shortlisted as potential candidates for the Merlimau state seat now vacant following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan on Thursday.
The four are division committee members Mohd Nasser Selamat and Abdul Nasir Bazid, Wanita head Zaleha Bujang and Jasin Umno Youth assistant secretary Jazlee Pit.
Nasser is also chief executive officer of the Malacca Customary Land Corporation, Zaleha is an officer with the Department of Special Affairs under the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture, Jazlee is Bemban village headman, while Nasir is a lab assistant.
A source told the New Straits Times that all four were locals who were well known to voters in Merlimau.
"They are familiar faces and possess the criteria of winnable candidate as mentioned by Barisan Nasional chairman and prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak)."
Chief Minister and state BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said on Saturday that the Jasin Umno division had a handful of such candidates and only a list of the best choices would be submitted.
Hidhir first contested in the 2004 general election where he defeated Jayathas Sirkunavelu of Parti Keadilan Rakyat by 5,087 votes.
In the 2008 general election, Hidhir retained his seat by defeating Jasme Tompang (Pas) by 2,154 votes.
Malacca state assembly Speaker Datuk Othman Muhamad had, on Friday, submitted a notification to the state Election Commission on the vacancy of the Merlimau state seat.
Ali said the he had asked Jasin Umno to shortlist potential candidates.
"The candidate must be in good health, free of any criminal records and is not a bankrupt, and most importantly must be able to ensure victory for BN."
On the replacement for the vacant state rural development and agriculture portfolio which was held by Hidhir, Ali said that there would not be any reshuffle in the state executive council line-up at the moment.
"We have unanimously agreed that focus would be given to the Merlimau by-election and also in the development of the state."
source: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/7limaus/Article/
No comments:
Post a Comment