Farid to quit as dep minister, senator

Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh will resign as deputy home minister and senator on Jan 15, Bernama reported today.

“I will continue to hold the post of deputy minister and, simultaneously, that of senator until Jan 5,” the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election said.

Jan 5 is the eve of nomination for the by-election. Polling is on Jan 17.

Yesterday, Deputy Premier Najib Tun Razak named Wan Ahmad Farid, 46, who is also Kuala Terengganu Umno division chief, as the BN candidate for the by-election. His selection was not a surprise due to his popularity in Terengganu.

Born and raised in KT

Ahmad Farid is is also considered a 'political heavyweight', which is an advantage because the parliamentary seat was previously held by a deputy minister - Razali Ismail, who died of a heart attack on Nov 28.

The 46-year-old former lawyer who graduated from Thames Valley University, London was born and raised in Kuala Terengganu.

Meanwhile, arch-rival PAS, who will carry the Pakatan Rakyat banner, has yet to name its candidate. However, the party is believed to choose between Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, state chief Mustafa Ali and vice-president Mohamad Sabu.

BN is set to face a heated battle not only from PAS, but from Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) and three others who have expressed interest in the seat