BN names K'tan Umno Youth chief as Nenggiri by-election candidate

• UPDATED 8.41AM | Added Azmawi’s credentials.

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani has been named as BN’s candidate for next month’s Nenggiri by-election.

This was announced by Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairperson Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, who is also state BN chairperson, at Dewan Umno Negeri in Kota Bahru today.

He said the decision was made after discussions with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the BN chairperson.

“I have been tasked by the Umno president to announce this on his behalf.

“Umno scrutinised the three candidates collectively after completing discussions with the liaison committee and Azmawi (above) has been selected by the deputy prime minister to represent BN and Umno in the Nenggiri state seat by-election,” he told a media conference.

Commitment to youth, volunteerism

Jazlan also thanked the Gua Musang Umno division leadership and Zahid for giving their views.

He said Azmawi, 38, was chosen because he was also committed to youth and volunteer activities through several NGOs.

He said Azmawi is a young candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Honours) from Universiti Utara Malaysia and has received many awards for his achievements, including winning the Perdana Youth Award in 2022.

“As such, he is seen as the most suitable person to be chosen as the BN candidate for this by-election and Umno always respects, trusts and places high hopes in youths to be the back-up in the party’s struggles,” he said.

Jazlan said he and the Kelantan Umno liaison committee leadership will support Azmawi so that he can shoulder the huge responsibility thrust upon him.

“InsyaAllah, Umno will get the support of the voters in the Nenggiri constituency, which will then translate to victory in the by-election,” he said.

He said BN component parties, coalition government parties as well as Umno liaison bodies from various states will assist in the by-election campaign. They have been assigned tasks by the party headquarters through a meeting held yesterday.

“We also realise it won’t be easy but we promise to strive relentlessly to achieve success through a comprehensive method and approach involving all party machinery.

“I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to voters in the Nenggiri constituency, no matter where they are, to state their support and give their votes to Azmawi in this by-election,” he said.

On June 19, Kelantan assembly speaker Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah announced that the Nenggiri state seat was vacant after Bersatu revoked Mohd Azizi Abu Naim’s party membership on June 13.

The Election Commission has set polling for Aug 17, with the nomination of candidates on Aug 3 and early voting on Aug 13.

- Bernama

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