Noh is yet to join Tg Karang campaign as it's a 'white area'

GE15 | Dropped from candidacy after six terms in Tanjung Karang, Selangor BN chief Noh Omar's absence from the campaign trail there is raising eyebrows.

What more when he was spotted stumping for colleagues in other constituencies instead.

Met on the sidelines of a ceramah by BN's Sungai Buloh candidate Khairy Jamaluddin last night, Noh (above) had a simple explanation for not going home to Tanjung Karang.

"Tanjung Karang is a white area," he said, using party lingo to mean that it is a constituency where BN is highly likely to win.

As such, he is supporting Selangor BN candidates in areas which are more precarious, like Sungai Buloh, where BN lost in all polling districts in 2018.

He also joined the BN campaign for first-time candidate Tengku Zafrul Aziz in Kuala Selangor, which neighbours Tanjung Karang.

Replacement getting limited support

Noh was dropped from the candidate list unceremoniously despite reportedly trying to persuade BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to retain him in the seat.

He was replaced by local Wanita Umno chief Habibah Mohd Yusof.

However, party insiders say Habibah is having a tough time campaigning with limited support from the local branches, which are disgruntled by the decision to sideline Noh.

She is in a five-cornered fight against Muda's Siti Rahayu Baharin, PN's Zulkafperi Hanapi, Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA)'s Azlan Sani Nawawi and independent candidate Mohd Rosni Mastol.

Mohd Rosni, who is Noh's special officer at the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry, said he is contesting to send a message to BN leadership to act fairly.

Noh was dropped from the candidate list alongside various cabinet ministers including Annuar Musa and Shahidan Kassim.

This shock move is speculated to be linked to a rift within Umno, between Zahid and Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Shahidan is now contesting against BN in Arau on the PN ticket, while Annuar joined Noh to campaign for BN in Sungai Buloh yesterday.

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