Perkasa chief like ‘father’ to me, says Che Johan

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Apr 21, 2013

(Malaysiakini) – “Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people. If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest”

Che Johan Che Pa, Umno’s intended candidate for the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat, said he had decided not to join the fray to avoid a three-cornered fight which could prove futile to the BN.

“Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people.

“If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest,” Bernama quoted him as saying today.

He said he made the decision not to submit his nomination papers today with a heavy heart to enable the BN to recapture Kelantan.

Che Johan said he was ready to meet BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak to explain to him why he took the drastic decision, and called on BN supporters to lend their support to Ibrahim whom he regarded as a BN-friendly candidate.

Meanwhile, the national news agency also reported that Kelantan BN chief Mustapa Mohamed (right) expressed surprise over Che Johan’s actions.

Mustapa said the state BN top leadership was not informed of Che Johan’s decision not to run for the seat, and took the matter seriously.

“(Kelantan BN) will refer the case to the party’s disciplinary board,” he said in a text message to Bernama.

Che Johan was present at the nomination centre at the Pasir Mas Land and District Office this morning, but did not submit his nomination papers to returning officer Mohd Gahazali Mohamed.

This paved the way for a straight fight between the incumbent Ibrahim Ali, who is standing as an Independent candidate, and PAS candidate Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz Nik.

On the other hand, Ibrahim said he was surprised by Che Johan’s action to withdraw from the contest.

“The scenario is now more convincing for me to retain the seat,” he said.

Denying a conspiracy behind Che Johan’s decision, Ibrahim said: “I understand that Che Johan was present at the nomination hall armed with his nomination papers, but did not submit them at the end of the nomination period.”

However, he did not rule out the possibility that Che Johan, whom he regarded as one of his political mentees, felt indebted to him and wanted him to retain the seat.

Ibrahim won the seat in the 2008 general election on a PAS ticket by beating BN’s Ahmad Rosdi Mahmad with a 8,991-vote majority.