Ex Health Minister Dzulkefly To Defend Kuala Selangor If Bn Fields Zafrul

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Amanah is expected to retain former health minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to contest the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat if BN fields Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz there in the 15th general election (GE15).
"Although Dzulkefly had previously expressed his intention to not contest in the election, he said he’d change his mind if BN fields Zafrul in the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat," a source from Amanah told Malaysiakini yesterday.
According to the source, who refused to be identified, the matter was discussed at Amanah's candidate evaluation committee meeting on Monday.
Back in June, Dzulkefly said that he was unlikely to change his mind to retire from politics, despite Zafrul's possible incursion into the territory.
Aside from Dzulkefly, Amanah is also expected to make some changes in fielding candidates for GE15, especially concerning senior party leaders.
This includes Amanah Communications director Khalid Abdul Samad who is set to contest in the Titiwangsa parliamentary seat, instead of the Shah Alam parliamentary seat he won in the 2018 general election.
"We have yet to decide who will go to (contest in the) Shah Alam (parliamentary seat), but most likely, it would be Shah Alam Amanah chief Azli Yusof,” said the source.
'It's been an honour'
Meanwhile, Khalid, when asked about his status in GE15, said he is willing to hand over the parliamentary seat, which he has held for three terms since the 2008 general election, to a "new face".
"I would like to thank Shah Alam voters. I seek forgiveness if there were any mistakes or shortcomings.
"It has been an honour and privilege for me to serve as the Shah Alam MP. I'm willing to pass the seat to a 'new face', who has been prepared by the party to contest in the seat," Khalid told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.
Incumbent Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul SamadAccording to the source further, Amanah has also made several other changes to the fielding of candidates for its parliamentary seats.
These include party vice-president Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus not defending his Hulu Langat parliamentary seat and fielding a new candidate at the Tampin parliamentary seat to replace incumbent Hassan Bahrom, who will not be defending the seat in GE15.
"Amanah vice-president Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud is also not defending her seat (Seri Serdang). The same goes for party secretary-general Hatta Ramli (Lumut)."
Last month, Siti Mariah sarcastically remarked that party leaders who are in their 60s should step down honourably if they are unwanted by the party.
The source said that Amanah president Mohamad Sabu will defend the Kota Raja parliamentary seat, while his deputy Salahuddin Ayub will defend the Pulai parliamentary seat.
The party's vice-presidents, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Mahfuz Omar, will also defend the Parit Buntar and Pokok Sena parliamentary seats respectively, added the source. - Mkini

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