THE grandson of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, Zahid Mat Arip, will take on caretaker Prime Minister Najib Razak in the Pekan parliamentary seat despite being embroiled in controversy himself.

Previously under investigation over Felda International Corporation’s (FIC) purchase of an overpriced hotel in Kuching, Zahid is expected to campaign on allegations of corruption and kleptocracy against Najib.

“The source of the issues plaguing this country is coming from none other than the Pekan parliamentary candidate. He is the source of the problem. I just want to remove him,” Zahid, a Bersatu supreme council member said.

Pekan has been Najib’s stronghold since he took over the seat after the demise of his father, second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, in 1976.

Zahid, who faces no charges over the FIC deal, is confident that he can pull off a major upset in the 14th general election on grounds that Pekan voters are fed up with their scandal-tainted representative.

“I am confident that this time I can win. I believe that Pekan voters will know how to differentiate between a thief, kleptocrat and someone who wants to do good for them.”

Zahid previously filed a suit to declassify the auditor-general’s report on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) but that effort was futile. He also has been vocal against the Najib administration and Umno.

Zahid was a former special officer to former Felda chairman Isa Samad, who is not being fielded as a BN candidate in the elections despite earlier speculation. Isa was also chairman of FIC, a Felda subsidiary, and presided over the purchase of hotels in London and Kuching.

Zahid said even if he fails to capture Pekan, his presence would “scare” Najib into dishing out goodies for constituents.

“So, in a way, it would be a blessing (to Pekan voters) for me to come here,” he said.

In 2013, the opposition fielded PKR’s Fariz Musa against Najib, who won by 51,278 votes. Najib in February allocated RM564 million for flood relief in Pekan. – April 28, 2018.