Jempol division shuts down after incumbent MP not retained as candidate


Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has hinted that he has not been chosen as an election candidate by BN on his Facebook page. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 1, 2022.

THE Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery in Jempol, Negri Sembilan is the latest to shut down after incumbent Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif is said to have been culled as a candidate by the Umno leadership. 

The move comes as the Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid prepares to announce its candidate line up for the 15th general election at the World Trade Centre at 8pm today. 

Yesterday, Perlis BN strongman and incumbent Arau MP Shahidan Kassim hinted that he had been dropped from the Umno ticket, following a brief message he left on Facebook. 

“Tonight is the saddest night ever. All operations rooms in BN Arau have been shut and the flags lowered,” he posted on his personal Facebook page.  

“This is the first time in history,” he added in the two-paragraph post. 

Shahidan did not explicitly say he was dropped but throughout the day rumours swirled that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was in the process of culling all those opposed to his leadership in a move to strengthen his position as BN headed for the polls. 

Among those rumoured to be on Zahid’s chopping block are Selangor Umno chief and Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak), Adham Baba (Tenggara), and Halimah Mohamed Sadique (Kota Tinggi). 

Earlier today, former Ketereh MP Annuar Musa is also leaving it to the Umno leadership to decide whether or not he will defend his seat in GE15.  

He confirmed that he had not received any invitation to attend the announcement of candidates for the polls. 

Umno Jempol division secretary Muhamad Zamri Omar claimed that it was the decision of the BN leadership to choose another individual.   

“We are going to close our operation centres at all the said branches as we cannot accept the decision made by the leadership. 

“Mohd Salim has indeed proven to provide the best service throughout his one term here.  

“We are worried that this Jempol parliament which was previously a white area has turned into a grey area, as everyone wants to close the operation room.   

“This is not a threat, not a protest, but we want the Jempol Umno Division head to remain as candidate for this seat,” he was quoted as saying.  

In GE14, Mohd Salim won the Jempol seat with a majority of 1,631 votes after obtaining 26,819 votes, defeating two other challengers, namely PKR candidate Kamarulzaman Kamdias who obtained 25,188 votes and PAS candidate Mustaffa Daharun with 5,267 votes. 

He said that the party had its own system of selecting candidates and as such, all parties should not make any speculation and leave the matter to the leadership to determine who should represent the party.   

Malaysia will vote on November 19. Early voting is on November 15. Nomination day is on November 5. – November 1, 2022. 


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