BN fields ex-UKM official for Semenyih by-election
SEMENYIH POLLS | A former UKM administration officer has been handpicked as BN's candidate for the coming Semenyih by-election.
Zakaria Hanafi, 57, a local, was chosen from the six shortlisted candidates submitted by Hulu Langat Umno division.
SEMENYIH POLLS | A former UKM administrative officer has been handpicked as BN's candidate for the coming Semenyih by-election.
Local boy Zakaria Hanafi (above), 58, was chosen from the six shortlisted candidates submitted by Hulu Langat Umno division.
In announcing the candidate, BN acting chairperson Mohamad Hasan urged voters to make the Semenyih by-election a referendum for their unhappiness with the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition.
The March 2 by-election is being held following the death of Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, who defeated candidates from BN, PAS and PSM in a four-cornered fight in the May 9 general election.
He won with a majority of 8,964, garnering a total of 23,428 votes.
This time around, BN and PAS have formed an unofficial alliance while PSM is also contesting the seat.
Read more: Bersatu picks former rep's son-in-law for Semenyih
Zakaria is a local activist and worked as administrative assistant in UKM from 2005 to 2016.
Mohamad said the party decided to choose a someone from Semenyih as it had been proven in the past that the voters were more receptive toward local candidates.
The Umno acting president added that the party did not need a candidate with "a long list of academic credentials" in this by-election.
"(Only a) parliamentary candidate need such academic credential to debate the law in Parliament, but when it comes to state constituency, we don't need a rocket scientist.
"We need someone who is willing to listen and resolve the problems (in Semenyih)," he said.
Also at the press conference, Mohamad shrugged off an Institute Darul Ehsan (IDE) survey which showed Harapan enjoyed 46 percent of support in Semenyih, nine percent higher than BN.
"My institute - Institute Mohamad Hasan - said we will have 55 percent (support)," he quipped.
"They can say whatever they like, we are not offended nor do we suffer an inferior complex."
During the event, the solemn-looking Zakaria remained silent and declined to speak even when asked to.
