‘Leaked’ Negri list fuels buzz on KJ’s move

SEREMBAN: Talk of three-term Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin contesting a seat in Selangor is gaining credence as his name was conspicuously missing from a “leaked” Barisan Nasional Negri Sembilan candidate list that has gone viral.

Many observers had earlier speculated that the Health Minister would likely be fielded either in Kuala Pilah or Tampin after he was asked to vacate Rembau, a Barisan stronghold.

However, based on the list, Kuala Pilah Umno deputy chief Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan will be fielded in the constituency, and Gemas assemblyman Datuk Abdul Razak Ab Said will stand in Tampin. Adnan is also a Senaling assemblyman.

The leaked list has strengthened talk that Khairy would be sent to stand in Sungai Buloh in Selangor.

Sungai Buloh Umno division chief Datuk Megat Firdouz Megat Junid reacted with bemusement when asked about this.

“Where did you hear this? Even I haven’t heard anything,” he said.

PKR’s R. Sivarasa has held the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat for three terms.

State Umno secretary Mustafa Salim refused to comment on the list of candidates, adding that an official announcement will be made in a day or two.

“Do not believe it. Please wait for the official announcement,” he said.

According to the list, incumbent Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias will be defending his seat, while Mohamad, who served three terms as mentri besar, will be fielded in Rembau.

Jempol Umno deputy chief Datuk Shamsulkahar Md Deli will stand in Jempol instead of incumbent Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif.

Shamsulkahar is the Serting assemblyman.

As widely speculated, the list said that state MCA chief Siow Koi Voon would be fielded in Seremban while Ng Kian Nam would contest Rasah.

State MIC chief and two-term Jeram Padang assemblyman Datuk L. Manickam will be fielded in Port Dickson despite talk that another strong contender is former deputy education minister Datuk P Kamalanathan.

In GE14, Barisan won the Rembau, Jempol and Jelebu seats, while Pakatan emerged victorious in Seremban, Rasah, Port Dickson, Tampin and Kuala Pilah.

Meanwhile, Khairy said people should not speculate on where he will stand but let the party leadership make the announcement.

“I will accept any constituency given to me,” he told reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday.