SEREMBAN: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said not only would he defend his Rantau state assembly seat but indicated that he would contest at a parliamentary constituency in the 15th General Election (GE15).
He said the Rantau seat was unique because the composition of voters comprised a multi-community group, reflecting the ethnic makeup of the people in the country.
"Rantau has only 51 per cent of Malay voters, and the rest are of other ethnic groups. So in terms of racial composition, it is balanced.
"It needs to be well-managed. So, God willing, I will continue to defend this seat in the coming election.
"I am confident and believe that Rantau voters will support me and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the election," he said after attending the Semarak Merdeka programme at Taman Jed, Kuala Sawah, Rantau, near here this afternoon.
Mohamad, who is Negri Sembilan Umno liaison chairman, said it was also time for him to contest a seat at the parliamentary level, considering his position as Umno deputy president.
"Since I am the deputy president, I need to contest at the parliamentary level to play an effective role at the national and highest level," he said.
He, however, declined to reveal which parliamentary seat he would contest in GE15.
Earlier reports touted Mohamad would contest the Rembau parliamentary seat in accordance with his position as Rembau Umno division chief. The seat now belongs to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the deputy Rembau Umno Division chief.
On the proposal of Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun not to dissolve the state assembly before March next year, Mohamad said it was Aminuddin's prerogative to advise the Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan.
"He is the menteri besar. As the head of the state government, he has the power to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
"Whether or not to dissolve the state assembly (at the same time with the federal level), it is up to him.
"If he does not dissolve at the same (with federal), it's also up to him. It will only enable me to bring more people to the campaign here," he said, tongue in cheek.
Mohamad said the BN candidates and seats to be contested in Negri Sembilan for GE15 have not been decided, yet.
"So far, ( the preparation) is still at the electoral machinery level and party preparation at the district voting centre level. So in terms of candidates, not yet," he said.