PORT DICKSON: Teluk Kemang Umno division head Tan Sri Isa Samad said he did not sulk with Barisan Nasional’s (BN) top leadership for not appointing him as a candidate in the 14th General Election (GE14).
When met at the launch of BN’s Sri Tanjung state seat operation centre at Jalan Pantai here, Isa, who was accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid and son who is also Telok Kemang Umno Youth chief, Mohd Najib, said he had no reasons to feel slighted with the decision.
“Of course, everyone in the party wanted to be a candidate but at the end of the day, we must respect the decision made by the party’s leadership.
“I had been nominated as candidate and served as assemblyman for nine terms since 1978. Just because I wasn’t named as candidate this time, do you think it’s fair to blame the top leadership?” he asked.
Isa added that he would continue to support BN candidates contesting under the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency in GE14.
“We are stronger now with no baggage that can tear us apart this time around. I have been going down to the ground intensively for the past two months to help the people here.
“All internal issues among component party’s members too have been sorted out. I am confident GE14 will mark a success for BN here,” he said after launching the operations centre.
Also present were BN Sri Tanjung state seat candidate who is also MIC National Youth deputy chief R Thinalan, MIC National Information chief who is also BN’s candidate for Port Dickson parliamentary seat Datuk V.S Mogan, former Telok Kemang member of parliament Datuk S Sothinathan and MIC state woman chief Dr P Tanaletchumy.
On rumours that he had planned to quit the party after his name was dropped in GE14 after the official announcement made by Negri Sembilan’s BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan earlier this week, Isa brushed off the rumour stating that it was a “naughty joke” attempted by irresponsible parties.
“For me, those who decide to leave the party after not being nominated, perhaps what they have been fighting for after all, was not for the party. Instead it could be to gain personal interest.
“This is not an individual fight. This is a battle where we should work together as a team,” he said.