Join forces with us, S'gor Umno Youth tells 'Uncle Kentang'
SEMENYIH POLLS | Rather than contesting as an independent in the upcoming Semenyih by-election, social activist Kuan Chee Heng should join forces with Selangor Umno Youth to campaign for the yet to be determined BN candidate.
As Selangor Umno Youth chief Rizam Ismail stated, Kuan has the democratic right to run for the state seat, but it would be better for him to join BN's campaign against Pakatan Harapan.
"This is a democratic country and whoever wants to stand can do so...
SEMENYIH POLLS | Rather than contesting as an independent in the upcoming Semenyih by-election, social activist Kuan Chee Heng should join forces with Selangor Umno Youth to campaign for BN.
As Selangor Umno Youth chief Rizam Ismail stated, Kuan has the democratic right to run for the state seat, but it would be better for him to join forces with the opposition against Pakatan Harapan.
"This is a democratic country and whoever wants to stand can do so. But it would be better if he (Kuan) helps campaign for the BN candidate to show the dissatisfaction against Harapan," he told Malaysiakini.
"That is more important, because although winning this by-election will not change the government, it could send a signal or warning to Harapan.
"It is better for him to be with BN. After that, he can continue to serve, although without the title 'YB'."
Read more: Analysts: 'Uncle Kentang' won't split votes in Semenyih
Yesterday, Kuan (photo) – the founder of the Malaysian Community Policing Association, who is popularly known as 'Uncle Kentang' – revealed his intention to stand as an independent in Semenyih for the March 2 polls.
Kuan said his decision was made not to gain popularity, but to serve the people.
'Hope for young candidate'
Rizam also noted that Selangor Umno Youth wants a young and clean BN candidate to be fielded in the by-election.
He said the wing has submitted its shortlist of candidates to the party's top leaders for consideration.
"We leave it to the top leaders to pick a young candidate with the right calibre, and preferably a local.
"But even if the candidate is from outside (of Semenyih), we will still show our support, so long as the candidate has calibre," he said.
Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan said yesterday that BN's candidate for Semenyih must be acceptable to all component parties, and especially the electorate.
He stressed that there would be no point of picking an "expired" candidate who could not be marketed to the people.
