BN to contest Nenggiri, ex-Umno man ready to battle for PN

The coalition government’s leadership council has agreed for BN to contest in the Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17.

Secretariat chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the decision was made in a meeting on Tuesday (July 9), chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attended by BN and Pakatan Harapan top leaders.

“Leaders from both coalitions give commitment and full support to assist the BN candidate representing the unity government,” Asyraf (above) said in a statement today.

The Election Commission set Aug 3 as the nomination day, followed by early voting on Aug 13 and polling day on Aug 17.

Kelantan legislative speaker Mohd Amar Abdullah declared the state seat vacant on June 19 after its incumbent Mohd Azizi Abu Naim was sacked from Bersatu for failing to affirm his loyalty to the party.

Azizi, who is also Gua Musang MP, and five other MPs, were asked to take an oath to affirm their loyalty to Bersatu after they declared support for the prime minister.

The other MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang) Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).

Unlike the Kelantan speaker, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul controversially found the parliamentary seats not vacant despite the sacking.

PN to field businessperson?

Meanwhile, Sheikh Razali Sheikh Hamad, 51, who is speculated to be Perikatan Nasional’s candidate for Nenggiri, said he is ready to take up the challenge if nominated.

However, the businessperson said the PN leadership is only expected to announce its candidate next week.

“I will abide by whatever the party decides. If given the chance, I will perform my duty,” the Bersatu member told Malaysiakini when contacted.

“God willing, I will work hard if given the mandate,” said the former Umno Gua Musang youth chief.

Besides Sheikh Razali, other names speculated to carry the PN mantle are Kuala Krai Bersatu chief Zulfaqar Dahalan and former Gua Musang deputy division chief Che Ariffin Hussin.

Incumbent Azizi narrowly won the Nenggiri seat after defeating opponent Ab Aziz Yusoff by 810 votes in the last election.

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