PETALING JAYA: Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu has hinted that he does not intend to defend the Chenderiang state seat at the upcoming polls.
Faizal said his focus was solely on defending the Tambun parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) instead, where he is set to take on Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim.
“It isn’t because Anwar will contest in Tambun but rather, I think it’s good that we give other leaders a chance (in Chenderiang) considering that I have already had experience as a state assemblyman and even as Perak menteri besar,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.
Faizal won the Tambun seat with a majority of 5,320 votes in GE14 under a PH ticket. He defeated Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah from Barisan Nasional and Ibrahim Zakaria (PAS) in a three-cornered fight.
However, he won the Chenderiang state seat with a majority of only 39 votes in another three-cornered fight against BN and PAS.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, announced on Thursday he will be vying for the Tambun seat in GE15, having served as Port Dickson MP until the dissolution of Parliament.
Perak is set to hold its state election simultaneously with GE15 after its state legislative assembly was dissolved on Oct 17.
Faizal said Perikatan Nasional (PN) had yet to decide on a candidate to contest the Chenderiang state seat.
GE15 will take place on Nov 19, with nomination day on Nov 5 and early voting set for Nov 15.