KUALA TERENGGANU: A Barisan Nasional (BN) member believed to have been picked to contest the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary seat in the 14th general election (GE14) has been accused of prematurely announcing his candidacy.
The claim was made by Terengganu PKR de facto chief Azan Ismail concerning Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail, who retires as state secretary on Sunday.
“Nawawi has jumped the gun in announcing his candidacy for Kuala Terengganu.
“As the state’s number one civil servant, Nawawi should have reserved (comment on) his intention until an official announcement was made by the state BN leadership.
“He should know (that there are) repercussions (to what he did),” said Azan, who is the incumbent state assemblyman for Bandar.
Nevertheless, Azan, who is likely to defend his Bandar state seat in the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary constituency, welcomed Nawawi’s entry into the ring, saying that it was his right to do so in a democracy.
The Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary seat will likely see a three-cornered fight between Nawawi; Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) chief and incumbent Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Raja Ahmad Shah; and Pas’s Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim.
When asked about the comment made by Pas Kuala Terengganu Bandar candidate Ahmad Shah Mohamed that Azan had won the previous election owing to support from then-ally (Pas), Azan replied: “At that time, we were an (opposition) coalition and a decision was made by the leadership for me to contest.
“This, despite the fact that Ahmad Shah had tried to contest Bandar by lobbying (PKR de facto chief) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.”
He added that Ahmad Shah even tried to persuade Anwar to choose him by swapping Azan to contest a Parliamentary seat instead.
“When Ahmad Shah failed to get his way, he boycotted my campaign for Bandar,” said Azan.
Meanwhile, Raja Kamarul Bahrin said he was taken aback by Nawawi’s announcement.
“I am really surprised at this move. Umno has many other potential candidates who had worked hard in the political campaign these past few years. I reckon Nawawi’s selection will cause (dissatisfaction among) supporters,” he said.
BN state chairman and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman is expected to officially announce the party’s GE14 state and Parliamentary seat candidates tomorrow.