GE13: Kamilia explains drastic decision for standing as independent candidate

 

(The Star) – Former Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim who is standing in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat as an independent candidate said she took the drastic step to get her message across on the lack of Wanita leaders in the general election.

“It is time to close the book and start a new one a clean one,” she said yesterday.

Kamilia had said the Barisan’s decision not to place Wanita Umno leaders as candidates was disappointing and an insult to women.

She faces Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad of Barisan Nasional and Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah from PAS.

The other Independents are former Tasek Gelugor Umno division headDatuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar, who is contesting the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat against Shahbudin Yahaya of Umno and Malay Chamber of Commerce former president Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin of PAS.

Fadzil Hanafi of Umno is standing as an independent in Alor Mengkudu state seat in Kedah. The other candidates for the seat are Sharifah Maznah Syed Kassim Barakbah of Barisan and Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya of PAS.

Ooi Suan Hoe from Gerakan is an Independent candidate in the Machang Bubuk state seat.

He faces Tan Lok Heah of Barisan, Lee Khai Loon (PKR), M. Vikneswaran (Kita) and Independent candidates Tan Hock Leong and Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah.

Sepang Umno committee member Hanapiah Mohamad and Sepang Barisan Youth head Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali are standing as Independents in the Sepang parliamentary seat against Selangor Barisan coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed.

The other candidate is Mohamed Hanipa Maidin of PAS.

In Pekan, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said party members contesting as Independents could not remain in the party.

“We will issue official letters to those contesting outside Umno and Barisan Nasional that they will be expelled,” he said yesterday.

“Action must be taken against these people as it would make more sense to sacrifice’ a few people instead of putting the whole coalition at stake,” he added.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed her disappointment with Kamilia after she rejected the offer to contest the Bukit Chandan state seat.

“She made the decision and she will have to face the music,” she added.

MCA Legal Bureau chairman Tay Puay Chuan advised party divisions and branches to file complaints if they found members contesting as Independents.

In Nibong Tebal, Penang Umno chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osmansaid there was no need to inform Mohd Shariff that he had been expelled.

Mohd Shariff, who came to the nomination centre with Abdul Rahman, said he was now Pakatan-Rakyat friendly and thanked the Barisan for “expelling” him.

Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Teng Hock Nan said Ooi has been sacked for breaching party discipline.