Dzulkefly hopes to make way for younger candidate in constituency, but PH says no

THE IDEA of fielding younger candidates in the 15th general election (GE15) is generally perceived as a good move in order to make way for the young ones to lead the nation. 

While, fielding younger candidates are welcomed and with the formation of youth based parties such as the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) is evident of the nation’s faith in having the young lead and while it may be all assuring as the young have more fire within them, their older counterparts in politics come with a vast of experiences in governance, policies and leadership. 

One such is former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad who’s intention to slow down in politics and make way for a younger candidate is not one of happy news by his counterparts in Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Amanah. 

The coalition’s leadership believes that it is vital and crucial for the former minister to defend his Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat although Dzulkefly has expressed his desire to allow his seat to be contested by a younger counterpart. 

Pakatan Harapan vice chairman Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub was quoted by FMT as saying that while Dzulkefly had expressed his interest in fielding a younger candidate, UMNO intends to field caretaker finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as a likely Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kuala Selangor seat. 

Salahuddin Ayub. (Photo credit: Utusan Malaysia).

“He (Dzulkefly) raised this matter (not contesting GE15) with the party’s leadership a while ago, and we were all right with it.

“However, after UMNO wanted to field Tengku Zafrul as its candidate in Kuala Selangor, the leadership of Amanah and PH wants Dzulkefly to contest in GE15 to defend his seat. This election is very critical, and every seat is important to PH.” Salahuddin was quoted in a statement according to the news report. 

The notion of having him defend his seat is because the Opposition coalition is confident that the two-term MP will be able to retain his seat which he won during GE14 with a 8,498-vote majority against BN’s Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim.

In order for PH to hold on to its seats it won during the last election, to which it formed the Government after the 50 year BN rule, it is only advisable that the coalition’s incumbents defend their seats as the Opposition has very strong grassroots presence in most of their constituencies. 

Meanwhile, in response to Pakatan Harapan’s desire, Dzulkefly reportedly expressed his reluctance in contesting yet stating that he will consider defending his seat for the sake of the coalition’s win come GE15.

“I’ve said this before, if the party’s top leadership wants me to contest for any reason – such as if a federal minister like Tengku Zafrul or others contest – I will consider competing in GE15,”

“But, personally, I don’t want to contest again. If he (Tengku Zafrul) doesn’t contest, I will give way to a younger leader.” he told a news portal. 

Will Dzulkefly now contest and defend his constituency where the rakyat have  continuously voted for him as their MP for not one but two-terms?  – Oct 20, 2022

 

 

Main photo credit: The Malaysian Reserve 

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