GERAK Independent co-founder Tawfik Ismail has announced that he will be contesting for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
This is despite his previous request to contest under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner against UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the 15th General Election (GE15) to avoid splitting the votes.
“However, this proved futile as I failed to elicit any response from PH’s top leadership. I was very disappointed when I learned of PH’s announcement of its PKR candidate, Shamsul Iskandar, for the Bagan Datuk,” he said in a statement.
“Hence, despite PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s announcements of their respective candidates, I shall forge ahead as a candidate for the Bagan Datuk constituency.”
The former Sungai Benut MP will be challenging the incumbent Bagan Datuk MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from BN, alongside two other named candidates — PH’s Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and PN’s Dr Muhammad Faiz Na’aman.
Embodiment of corruption
According to Tawfik who is the son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, the sole purpose in running for the Bagan Datuk seat was to defeat Zahid, whom he had previously called the “embodiment of corruption”.
He reminded Bagan Datuk voters that Ahmad Zahid has been tainted by 47 charges of corruption.
“The BN chairman revealed his main motivation for the GE15 which is to avoid jail time post elections. Not only that, he issued a veiled threat to his fellow BN leaders that they also will be charged and locked up if they don’t fight hard to win GE15,” Tawfik remarked.
“He represents the scourge of Malaysia, especially the way corruption has eaten away the dignity of our RAKYAT. I cannot stand by and let that happen.”
Tawfik further pointed out that the country is urgently in need of a new political landscape that is free from corruption and vested interests where independent MPs can precipitate change and bring peace, progress and prosperity to the rakyat, free from “unnecessary politicking and narrow party interests”.
“I humbly seek the support of the constituents of Bagan Datuk. I hope they will give me an opportunity to serve them as an MP,” he said.
“Bagan Datuk deserves better representation. Indeed, Malaysia needs an MP who will fight for and defend the rights of all citizens without fear or favour, irrespective of race, religion and sex.”
Previously DAP lawmaker Lim Guan Eng said PH should consider allowing Tawfik to contest under the coalition’s ticket in Bagan Datuk.
Lim said allowing Tawfik to do so would be an opportunity to highlight PH’s fight against corruption and ensure that those charged in court would continue to face justice. – Nov 3, 2022
Main photo credit: MySinchew
