Supporters present at Dewan Majlis Perbandaran Johor Baharu Tengah, the nomination centre for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat had a surprise when a third candidate appeared with his nomination papers.

Skudai Baru MIC branch chairperson R Rajandren, 55, who appeared at the nomination centre with his papers, however, decided to withdraw 15 minutes before nominations closed.

NONE Prior to his withdrawal Rajandren had met caretajer Johor menteri besar Abdul Ghani Othman ( third from left, in photo ) inside the hall.

"After speaking to the menteri besar I decided to withdraw my candidacy," Rajandren told reporters at the nomination centre, in Johor Bahru today.

During the brief meeting with the menteri besar inside the hall, Rajandren, a former soldier, said he had raised a number of issues faced by the Indian community while Abdul Ghani promised to resolve the matters.

Among grouses raised by Rajandren were the lack of funds from Johor MIC to carry out activities at the branch level.

Gelang Patah retaining officer Md Fuzi Ahmad Shamini confirmed Rajandren's withdrawal from the contest.

Meanwhile, Ghani, when met after the nomination process was over, said he did not make any promises to Rajandren.

"When inside the hall, he (Rajandren) came to me and I told him you can do what you want. That is all," he said.

The Gelang Patah parliamentary seat will be a straight fight between Ghani and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

In the 2008 general election, BN's Tan Ah Heng defeated Zaliha Mustaffa from PKR by a 8,851-vote majority.

- Bernama

 

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