BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has named former Chief of Defence Forces General (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor as the direct candidate to contest the upcoming Kemaman by-election.
Zahid said the decision to select Raja Mohamed Affandi was upon an agreement from UMNO and BN’s leadership in a bid to wrest back the Kemaman parliamentary seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“Raja Affandi’s decision to step forward as a BN candidate is seen as a gesture of the support received from the party and given back to the constituents of Kemaman.
“The candidate comes with a distinguished background in the military and is known for his significant contributions beyond the realm of politics,” Zahid, who is also UMNO’s President was quoted as saying by New Straits Times today (Nov 13).
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, BN deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and Terengganu UMNO chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said were also present at the candidate announcement at Menara Dato’ Onn in Kuala Lumpur.
“We (BN) are confident that his candidacy would bring about positive changes as we pledge to address the needs of the people in Kemaman, spanning rural areas, Felda and Felcra areas, Orang Asli settlements, suburban areas, and Chinese communities.
“Despite BN falling short by approximately 27,000 votes in the last parliamentary election, we believe Kemaman remains a winnable seat,” Zahid said.
Zahid also added that Kemaman is in fact an UMNO stronghold, not PAS’s.
“The seat was lost after various issues, slander and hatred were thrown at UMNO and BN. The use of ‘extraordinary’ financial resources at that time led the coalition to lose by more than 27,000 votes in Kemaman,” Zahid was quoted as saying by The Star today (Nov 13)
Meanwhile, Raja Affandi said he is ready to answer the “call of duty” and give back to the country with the opportunity given.
“I was caught by surprise (by the candidacy). But I would like to express my gratitude to the coalition for choosing me (to contest) in Kemaman.
“I have served for more than 40 years, and I thought long that it is high time for me to offer what I have with me back to the people, specifically in Kemaman,” he said.
Meanwhile, PN elections director Datuk Seri Sanusi Md Nor said PAS is aiming to win the Kemaman by-election by a majority of 30,000 votes.
“This election is unnecessary, but UMNO was crazy enough to file a petition, despite knowing it will lose the by-election.
“From a majority of 27,000 in the 15th General Election (GE15), we (PAS) will ensure it goes up to 30,000 this time around,” the Kedah Menteri Besar was quoted as saying by FMT on Friday (Nov 10).
Sanusi also acknowledged that voter fatigue will be a key factor, given that this will be the third vote in the constituency in a period of just over 12 months.
“I know you must be tired, but it is still important for you to fulfil your duty as a citizen by coming back to vote,” he said.
Aside from GE15 in November last year, Terengganu held its state elections with five other states last August.
The Election Commission (EC) has set polling day for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Dec 2, nomination day on Nov 18, and early voting on Nov 28. – Nov 13, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
