A Thai Malaysian and former local Gerakan leader today confirmed that he would be running in the upcoming Penanti by-election in Penang.

penanti state seat by election independent candidate nai khan ari 220509 Nai Khan Ari, 41, who calls himself 'Penanti Boy', announced his candidacy today - a day before nominations for the state seat.

Nai, who grew up in Kampung Teluk Wang, currently works as a manufacturing manager in neighbouring Kedah.

He is married to a local Chinese and has three children, who are studying in a Chinese school.

Nai is also multi-lingual and able to converse fluently in Malay, English and Thai. He also speaks a spattering of Mandarin and Hokkien.

The former Gerakan Teluk Wang branch secretary and Youth chief told reporters today that he decided to contest because he felt the people in Penanti have been neglected.

"I hope I will be given the chance to serve the people of all races. I want to contribute in the social and economic development of the constituency," he said.

'Absolute independent'

Nai revealed that he had tendered his resignation as the Gerakan branch secretary and Youth chief on May 19 - a day after Barisan Nasional announced its decision not to contest in the by-election.

Despite this, Nai declared himself as an "absolute independent and not a proxy of BN".

penanti state seat penang 200409 "I am not a candidate for any political party. Because of my independence, I am free to express any opinion," he said.

However, he conceded that if BN had chosen to contest, he would not have joined the race.

As for his campaign, Nai said he would conduct 'house to house' visits and he firmly believes that his multilingualism would be an added advantage.

According to him, his campaign budget is between RM16,000 and RM18,000 and he would not regret even if he lost his RM5,000 deposit.

"If I win, I can serve them (the voters). I can spend the money for this, it is worthwhile to do so," he said.

Apart from Nai, two other independent candidates are expected to take on PKR's Mansor Othman come May 31.

The two are former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah and businessman Mohd Saberi Othman, believed to be an ex-aide of former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of former deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as its state representative on April 16.

Earlier today, Penang Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan called on local party grassroots leaders and members not to participate in the by-election campaign.

It is believed that the statement was made in relation to Nai's decision to contest.