PETALING JAYA: Former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail is set to contest against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the 15th general election (GE15).
Tawfik, the son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, confirmed with FMT that he will throw his hat into the ring against Zahid wherever the Barisan Nasional chairman contested.
This includes Bagan Datuk, where Zahid has been the MP since 1995.
“It’s time for the Malays to stand and fight for the right values,” the former Umno man said.
Tawfik, who was the MP for Sungai Benut in Johor from 1986 to 1990, will be contesting under Gerak Independent, a joint initiative promoting independent candidates for GE15.
The Election Commission (EC) will meet on Oct 20 to finalise the nomination and polling dates after caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament on Monday.