Nong Chik To Run As Indie If Umno Fields Outsider For Lembah Pantai

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Former federal territories minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said he will run for the Lembah Pantai federal seat as an independent if Umno fields someone who does not originate from the constituency.
Raja Nong Chik (above), who is the Lembah Pantai Umno division head, told Utusan Malaysia that Umno's candidate must be a local who understood the needs of the constituency.
"If possible, I want to give way to someone young, or else it would be difficult for young people to move up. If (the party) needs me to campaign, no problem. But if they choose an 'outsider', then I will run for office.
"I am willing to be an independent candidate if Umno fields an 'outsider'. There are many young candidates. There's no problem for me. It depends on the leadership. What's important is that the person must be from Lembah Pantai," he said.
Raja Nong Chik had tried twice in 2013 and 2018 to win the Lembah Pantai seat but was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar and Fahmi Fadzil respectively.




Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz
On speculation that Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz would be fielded by Bersatu in Lembah Pantai, Raja Nong Chik said the former had a chance of winning on condition that he stood as a BN candidate.
"He is local. His parents lived in Bangsar before and he grew up there. But if he wants (a serious) contest, then stand as a BN candidate and not Perikatan Nasional," he added.
Zafrul, who is currently finance minister through senatorship, has repeatedly stated that he will not run for a seat in Parliament.
Raja Nong Chik added that Umno can only reclaim the Lembah Pantai seat if they are cooperating with PAS.
"PAS has a strong machinery in Lembah Pantai. If (they) support PN, there are risks (for us). Umno has to decide on the direction of the party (on whether to cooperate with PAS)," he said. - Mkini

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