Bring it on, MB says of Anwar challenge in Tambun

Umno and BN are not intimidated by Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim’s candidacy in Tambun in the 15th general election (GE15), said Perak Umno and Perak BN chief Saarani Mohamad.

The caretaker menteri besar said BN has been making thorough preparations for an all-out battle, including taking on heavyweights from opposition parties.

“I also believe voters have learnt from their mistakes (in GE14). Tambun people would not be so easily deceived by Anwar, who has been rejected by voters in the Malacca, Johor, and Sarawak state elections.

“I’m not worried about Harapan’s decision to field Anwar in Tambun. I’m not having any sleepless nights because I know our party machinery is ready to pull in a lot of votes in GE15,” he said today.

Saarani (above) was speaking to reporters after attending a programme with the family of K Devagi, 57, in conjunction with Deepavali at Jalan Lama Kampung Chengai in Sungkai.

Asked on the possibility of Tambun Umno division chief Aminuddin Md Hanafiah contesting the Tambun seat, Saarani said a final decision had yet to be made.

Last Saturday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Aminuddin was expected to be picked as the BN candidate for Tambun, as proposed by the Perak Umno liaison committee.

In GE14, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu won the Tambun seat on a Harapan ticket in a three-cornered fight with BN and PAS, polling 38,661 votes to win with a majority of 5,320.

When asked on talk that Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki might contest in the Gerik parliamentary seat, Saarani merely said BN would not field any ‘parachute’ candidate.

In GE14, BN’s Hasbullah Osman won Gerik with a 5,528-vote majority but the seat has remained vacant since his death in November 2020.

- Bernama

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