Manek Urai: Najib expects tough fight
Rahmah GhazaliPublished: Jun 27, 2009 7:53 AM | Updated: Jun 27, 2009 8:19 AM
Although Umno has yet to field its candidate for the July 14 Manek Urai by-election, the party president is already feeling the heat, conceding that they will face a tough fight.
Although Umno has yet to field its candidate for the July 14 Manek Urai by-election, the party president is already feeling the heat, conceding that they will face a tough fight.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said even though PAS has won convincingly with a big majority in the last general election, Umno can still come out on top.
“It is quite hard for us to go through this, but I believe that we have a chance to win,” Najib, who is also Umno president told reporters at the St John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
On the full-swing campaign PAS has launched some time back, Najib said that Umno will have its own way of campaigning and stressed that it will not “dance to PAS’ tune”.
“Most importantly, we have to get our messages across to all the voters to show that we are sincere in fighting for their future by fielding a candidate who is capable of serving the people,” he said.
It however remains a mystery as to who would be the candidate to represent Umno since the party is expected to make the announcement tomorrow in Manek Urai by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
But the names that have been making the rounds include Kuala Krai Youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, Kuala Krai division chief Ramzi Abdul Rahman and former division chief Wan Zaid Abdullah.
Manek Urai regarded as a PAS stronghold
Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that local Umno leaders were apprehensive about fielding Ramzi, thus paving the way for Tuan Aziz, a decorated civil servant, to contest.
However, when contacted on June 24, Tuan Aziz said if it was possible, he would prefer not be a candidate, adding that there were many other capable senior party leaders.
The Manek Urai by-election was necessitated by the death of five-term incumbent Ismail Yaakob.
Though Manek Urai is regarded as a PAS stronghold, the margin of victory here during the last several elections have been modest at best, rarely exceeding 2,000 votes.
Whoever the Umno candidate is, he will be set to face PAS’ Kuala Krai division treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah. His candidacy was announced last night by PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Fauzi, in his 50s, is a turban-clad wealthy fishmonger and businessman. He was born and bred in Kuala Krai, the nearest town in the largely rural Malay-majority Manek Urai constituency.
He is also member of the Kuala Krai municipal council since 1999.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said even though PAS has won convincingly with a big majority in the last general election, Umno can still come out on top.“It is quite hard for us to go through this, but I believe that we have a chance to win,” Najib, who is also Umno president told reporters at the St John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
On the full-swing campaign PAS has launched some time back, Najib said that Umno will have its own way of campaigning and stressed that it will not “dance to PAS’ tune”.
“Most importantly, we have to get our messages across to all the voters to show that we are sincere in fighting for their future by fielding a candidate who is capable of serving the people,” he said.
It however remains a mystery as to who would be the candidate to represent Umno since the party is expected to make the announcement tomorrow in Manek Urai by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
But the names that have been making the rounds include Kuala Krai Youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, Kuala Krai division chief Ramzi Abdul Rahman and former division chief Wan Zaid Abdullah.
Manek Urai regarded as a PAS stronghold
Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that local Umno leaders were apprehensive about fielding Ramzi, thus paving the way for Tuan Aziz, a decorated civil servant, to contest.
However, when contacted on June 24, Tuan Aziz said if it was possible, he would prefer not be a candidate, adding that there were many other capable senior party leaders.
The Manek Urai by-election was necessitated by the death of five-term incumbent Ismail Yaakob.Though Manek Urai is regarded as a PAS stronghold, the margin of victory here during the last several elections have been modest at best, rarely exceeding 2,000 votes.
Whoever the Umno candidate is, he will be set to face PAS’ Kuala Krai division treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah. His candidacy was announced last night by PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Fauzi, in his 50s, is a turban-clad wealthy fishmonger and businessman. He was born and bred in Kuala Krai, the nearest town in the largely rural Malay-majority Manek Urai constituency.
He is also member of the Kuala Krai municipal council since 1999.
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