TAWFIK Ismail, the eldest son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, said he will take on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wherever he contests in the coming 15th general election (GE15).

The former Umno MP, said he will be among the line-up of Gerak Independent (GI) candidates and will fight Zahid including in the latter’s stronghold of Bagan Datuk.

“It’s time for the Malays to stand and fight for the right values,” Tawfiq was reported as saying by The Star.

Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, has been the Bagan Datuk MP since 1995.

Tawfik urged Malaysians who hate corruption to see his struggle as theirs as well.

“I will call on all Malaysians who hate corruption to see my fight as their fight.  

“I am not splitting Pakatan Harapan votes but instead taking my fight to the Malay heartland,” Tawfik added.

Tawfik, the former Sungai Benut MP from 1986 to 1990, will be contesting under the GI banner, a joint initiative promoting independent candidates for GE15.

The Election Commission (EC) will meet on October 20 to finalise the nomination and polling dates after caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament on Monday. – October 13, 2022.