BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Kemaman deserves an MP who can give full focus and also has experience in safeguarding the welfare of the people.

He believes that BN’s chosen candidate, former army chief Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, based on his strong personality, can stimulate the economy and prosperity of the constituency.

“It is time for its people to choose a representative, not to choose a coalition that is constantly engaged in political manoeuvring.

“Let the representative focus on administering the constituency and be able to communicate directly with the government for the sake of its progress,” he said in a statement in Chukai today.

Raja Mohamed Affandi is in a straight fight with PAS candidate Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, in the Kemaman by-election on December 2.

Zahid, who is also UMNO president, acknowledged that Terengganu indeed needs a leader who can uplift the economy and thinking about the sustainability, not someone who is eager for more positions.

However, he is confident that Kemaman voters are wise enough to assess what is best.

“My advice to the BN machinery is to campaign in a healthy manner and not be influenced by those who are full of insults and slander. InsyaAllah, BN can return to make Kemaman ‘original blue’ again,“ he said.

The by-election was called following the September 26 decision by the Terengganu Election Court to nullify PAS candidate, Che Alias Hamid’s victory in the 15th general election.

Nomination was held today and early voting is on November 28. – Bernama, November 18, 2023.