FORMER Umno MP Tawfik Ismail will challenge Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the Bagan Datuk constituency as an independent candidate, after Pakatan Harapan rejected him.

In a statement, Tawfik said he was disappointed by PH’s decision, adding that he hoped the coalition’s backing would help him win.

“In order to avoid a split in the votes and to ensure Zahid’s defeat, I reached out to PH leaders to allow me to contest under the PH banner.

“However, this proved futile as I failed to elicit any response from the leadership.

“Furthermore, I was very disappointed when I learned of PH’s announcement of its PKR candidate, Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin.

“Hence, despite the PH, BN and PN announcements of their respective candidates, I shall forge ahead as an independent candidate.

“I am unencumbered by political party structures; hence, I will be able to truly represent the people of Bagan Datuk and honestly speak for them in the Dewan Rakyat.”

“I regard Zahid as the embodiment of corruption. He represents the scourge of Malaysia, especially the way corruption has eaten away the dignity of our people.

“I cannot stand by and let that happen. As long as I have a voice, I will speak out against corruption; and as long as I have the strength, I will muster it to fight the forces that are responsible for perpetuating that culture in Malaysia,” he said.

Tawfik was an Umno MP from 1986 to 1990 in Sungai Benut and is the son of Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister.

Tawfik is part of the Gerak Independent movement and a member of G25, the group of prominent retired civil servants.

Speaking further, Tawfik said he would be able to single-mindedly serve the Bagan Datuk constituents, and bring much needed change and progress.

He also pledged to lead the fight to rid Malaysia of corruption.

“All of us want to see that our country’s resources and wealth do not continue to be plundered just to enrich a few. Together, we must stop this rot to save Malaysia.

“I will strive to uplift the socio-economic well-being of all constituents and, particularly, I will ensure that those eking a living in the agricultural and fisheries sectors will have the necessary support to make a decent living,” he said.

In September, Shah Alam High Court acquitted Zahid of all 40 corruption charges over the foreign visa system.

Presiding judge Yazid Mustafa ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against the Umno president.

However, he still faces an array of charges for money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving millions misappropriated from Yayasan Akalbudi and for accepting bribes for various projects during his tenure as the home minister.

Meanwhile, Tawfik said Malaysia needs a new political landscape that is free from corruption and vested interests.

He argued that independent MPs can precipitate change and bring peace, progress and prosperity to the people, free from unnecessary politicking and narrow party interests.

“I humbly seek the support of the constituents of Bagan Datuk. I hope they will give me an opportunity to serve them as an MP. Bagan Datuk deserves better representation.

“Indeed, Malaysia needs an MP who will fight for and defend the rights of all citizens without fear or favour, irrespective of race, religion and sex,” he said. – November 3, 2022.