IN A bizarre development, controversial television host-actor Mohamed Azwan Ali, who was set to go up against his brother Azmin in his incumbent Gombak seat, has decided against fielding himself in the seat during the Nov 19 polls.
Azwan, who previously won only 90 votes the last time he went up against Azmin, said their late mother, Che Tom Yahaya, came to him in a dream and told the former not to stand for the 15th General Election (GE15).
The flamboyant internet personality said this while sitting on a motorbike clad in a red robe, black purse and sunglasses and holding up a phone broadcasting a live stream of his press conference outside the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Pusu nomination centre.
“This is not a plaything or a gimmick,” Azwan, better known as Diva AA, said in a choked voice while holding back tears. “It doesn’t matter if you say I am talking nonsense; I heard my mother’s voice.”
“I believe this is wisdom from God (to convince) me against standing,” he added, according to Berita Harian.
Azwan also shared that another reason why he stood down against contesting was because of a call he had with Azmin’s wife, Datin Seri Shamshida Taharin, last night (Nov 4).
He clarified that the purpose of the call was not to convince him to change his mind about contesting but to share how Azmin always asks about Azwan, which Azwan said he appreciated.
The two suffered a rift in recent years and the last time they met each other was when Azwan stood alongside Azmin for the Bukit Antarabangsa polls during the 14th General Elections (GE14); Azmin won with an almost 25,000 majority in the state seat then.
Azwan also apologised to his followers who wanted him to stand in Gombak and for the surprise decision.
“I support Amirudin”
Azwan further stated his support for Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for Gombak, Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari, who is also Azmin’s protege and Selangor menteri besar.
“I fully support PH, but don’t ask why.
“Whatever the fault of its chairman, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, forgive and let him continue his struggle with his credible team, Amirudin, who excelled in developing Selangor,” he added. “We all hope for the best from them.”
He also encouraged all voters not to hesitate against voting for PH.
“(I) believe that the people of Gombak are not stupid. So, go out and vote (for PH) on Nov 19.”
Meanwhile, Azmin will be up against four others in Gombak, where the former PKR leader and international trade and industry minister hopes to retain the seat for a fourth term.
Apart from PKR’s Amirudin, Megat Zulkarnain Omardin (Barisan Nasional) and Jamaludin Mohd Tahir (Gerakan Tanah Air) have thrown their hats in the ring as well.
Gombak is a Malay-majority seat (75.8%) with Indians and Chinese comprising about 21% of the electorate collectively (about 11% each).
There are over 206,000 eligible voters in the seat, as of 2018. – Nov 5, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
