Umno to discuss Tanjung Piai candidate following MP Farid's death

KOTA KINABALU: Umno will discuss with its Barisan Nasional counterparts on who to field for the by-election in Tanjung Piai, Johor Baru following the death of MP Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik (pic) on Saturday (Sept 21).

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in conveying condolences to the family, said they would have to discuss thoroughly on who to field for the seat, which used to be a stronghold of MCA.

"On who to field, we will need to discuss with other Barisan component parties first," he said during a press conference after officiating at the Sabah Umno convention here.

On other matters, he said Umno was set to give more autonomy to Sabah Umno so that they could run state matters more efficiently, especially in the bid to pursue rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

"This autonomy would also among other allow Sabah to choose its own candidates for the next general election," Zahid said.

He said there would be four "main deals" to give more autonomy for Sabah Umno but the full list would only be announced by the central Umno leadership in Putrajaya once things had been finalised.

Zahid said autonomy for Sabah would be printed out in the party’s constitution, whereas the convention today would see state Umno leaders detail their plans for the party, in terms of the way forward and directions according to the changes given to the party.

“Sabah’s political scenario is best handled and known by Sabahans, that is why it is best to have Sabahans take charge here, ” he added.

Asked whether the Umno-Pas pact was causing wavering support from supporters in Sabah, he said there was a small number of those who were not agreeable to the pact, but this small number would not deter them from carrying out their plans.

He said the Umno-PAS pact, which saw the signing of the National Action Solidarity Plan to realise national unity (muafakat nasional), was not only for Muslim participations.

Ahmad Zahid said the muafakat was for everyone and would benefit all Malaysians.

Earlier in his speech, he said the Umno-PAS pact, which saw the signing of the National Action Solidarity Plan to realise national unity (muafakat nasional), was not only for Muslim participations.

Ahmad Zahid said the muafakat is for everyone and would benefit all Malaysians.