KANGAR, Nov 2 — Perlis UMNO is confident that members at the grassroots, especially in Arau and Padang Besar, will stay loyal to the party even though two prominent leaders from the constituencies were dropped from being one of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Perlis UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Azlan Man said that based on the party’s past experience, the members had never budged from supporting the party candidates and that the differences of opinion that occurred were only temporary.
During the announcement in Kuala Lumpur last night, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Arau Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and the incumbent MP for Padang Besar Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin were not named as candidates.
Instead, Puteri UMNO chief Zahida Zarik Khan was announced as the BN candidate for Padang Besar, while former Arau UMNO vice-chief Datuk Rozabil Abd Rahman will represent the party in Arau.
Also named was UMNO Youth executive council member Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya to contest in Kangar.
“Insya Allah, we (Perlis UMNO) will get through this phase, it’s just a storm in a small cloud and will not last long,” he told Bernama when contacted today.
Azlan, who is also Perlis Menteri Besar, said the names announced by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also UMNO president, last night were deemed suitable candidates with impressive status background and capable of helping BN to secure victory in Perlis.
