ALOR STAR: Former Kedah state legislative assembly deputy speaker Datuk Azmi Che Hussein, who was dropped from state Barisan Nasional (BN) line-up for the 14th General Election (GE14), has pledged to continue supporting the coalition.
The two-term Bayu assemblyman brushed off speculations that he was leaving BN and Umno to stand as an opposition candidate.
Azmi also pledged full support to whoever from BN chosen to contest Baling parliamentary and Bayu state seats.
“I accept the decision made by party leadership not to renominate me with an open heart.
“I will lend my full support to the person selected by the party to ensure the party’s survival especially in Kedah.
“I do not hold any grudge by the party’s decision,” he said when contacted by NSTP.
Azmi stressed that he would never betray Umno and BN which had served him well.
“I will not leave Umno because the party has been with me through thick and thin. When Umno is under attack by the opposition, I will stand firm behind it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Merbok parliamentary seat incumbent Professor Dr Ismail Daut pledged to continue working for the party in ensuring the seat remain with BN, despite not being re-nominated.
Ismail said he had rejected an offer by an opposition party to leave BN after his name was dropped from state BN’s line-up.
“After learning that my name was not in the list, they (the opposition party) offered me to contest under their ticket but I declined because I am loyal to BN,” he said when contacted.
Ismail said he accepted the party’s decision in naming Merbok Umno division chief Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain as his replacement.
In GE13, Ismail won the Merbok parliamentary seat with majority votes 4,122 defeating PKR candidate Nor Azrina Surip.