PAS fields T'ganu royal in KT, Husam for Putrajaya
PAS has confirmed that renowned architect Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad Shah, who is also a member of the Terengganu royalty, will be its candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.
PAS has confirmed that renowned architect Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad Shah, who is also a member of the Terengganu royalty, will be its candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.
He is best remembered for his dramatic rescue of his two children from Australia in 1992 and designing the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, the roof of which collapsed.
Raja Kamarul Bahrin
(right in photo)
has disclaimed responsibility for the defect.
Another big name candidate announced today is former national criminal investigation department chief Fauzi Shaari, who will contest in Larut, Perak.
In a surprise move, the party will also field its vice-president Husam Musa in the BN stronghold of Putrajaya, in a symbolic contest to show the party's willingness to deal with adversity.
Fellow vice-presidents Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub will be fielded in Pokok Sena, Kedah and Pulai, Johor respectively.
Party president Abdul Hadi Awang will defend his parliamentary seat of Marang, Terengganu, while his deputy Mohamad Sabu will contest the Pendang parliamentary seat in Kedah.
Speaking to reporters today at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Abdul Hadi said further announcements will be made soon at the national and state level.
Abdul Hadi also assured that there will be no duplication of seats like Setiawangsa and Labuan with its partners.
"This will be resolved in the Pakatan leadership council meeting," he added.
The party president also said that it will contest in 76 parliamentary seats and 230 state seats nationwide.
Abdul Hadi noted that he is confident of PAS and Pakatan's chances this time around.
He confirmed that the party will also field non-Muslims from its PAS Supporters Club as candidates, although he did not name any.
Previously, it was reported that PAS Supporters Club president Hu Pang Chow ( left ), who hails from Kedah and is also a Christian, would contest in Ayer Hitam.
Although Abdul Hadi did not make any announcement today, party insiders have confirmed that Hu will contest in Ayer Hitam against MCA Youth chief Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Abdul Hadi said, like in the last elections, PAS will also be fielding Indian candidates to contest in the coming election.
Husam, Salahuddin admits uphill battle
Husam (
left
), when commenting on the party's decision to field him in the federal administrative capital of Putrajaya, recognises that he faces an uphill battle as he is going against Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who is a strategist.
"Putrajaya does not face much issue as it is the federal administrative capital with enough facilities and there are no complaints by the residents.
"Even people whom I met in the surrounding Putrajaya (areas) like Bangi and Kajang commented that it is political suicide. It is certainly a challenge, but I hold the view that the Prophet Muhammad had once decided to leave Mecca to Medina in order to propagate Islam. Hence, I am leaving Kelantan and I have the blessings of my family members in Kubang Kerian to contest there," he said.
However, Husam kept mum on whether he will defend his Salor state seat.
The party vice-president said that he is glad that the PAS members have prepared the party machinery for him to contest, and he urged party workers to abide by the protocols when campaigning and putting up party materials in Putrajaya.
As for Salahuddin, who hails from Johor, he has described his candidacy in Pulai as a home-coming.
"I realise that I will face a tough battle. I hold the view that if Pakatan is to take over Putrajaya, we have to open the way by contesting in the Umno and BN bastion."
"Some of my former schoolmates from Johor - including Chinese and Indians - have welcomed me to contest in Pulai and pledge their support. My alumni have (also) supported me by supplying bamboo poles to put up the party flags," he said, adding that the support from Johoreans and his relatives have been good so far.
Salahuddin (
right
) has pledged that Pakatan will try and win 12 parliamentary seats from Johor. The state has been targeted by Pakatan, as DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang will be contesting in Gelang Patah, Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng is going for the Segamat seat, whereas party strategist Liew Chin Tong is contesting in Kluang.
Meanwhile, incumbent Pokok Sena MP and party vice-president Mahfuz Omar said that although he will be defending his seat, he pledges that Kedah will remain under the Pakatan rule.
"I also pledge that Kedah will win 15 seats to contribute to Pakatan's move to Putrajaya," he said.
Journeyman deputy president Mohamad, or better known as Mat Sabu, hopes that the people in Pendang would elect him.
"I have been contesting at various places, and I am a deputy president without any parliamentary seat. I have seen that the people's support to Pakatan has been good," he said.
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