KANGAR: Perlis Barisan Nasional is embracing the changes to its candidates' line-up for the 15th General Election with new faces replacing old ones.
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who has held the Arau parliamentary seat since 1986, has been dropped from contesting in the general election.
In his place, and in the other two parliamentary constituencies in Perlis, Barisan introduced fresh faces to herald a time of change in Malaysia's smallest state.
As for Shahidan, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters: "He is more than capable to run for the elections but his time has passed".
He said the party decided to replace Shahidan with another candidate after taking into consideration the needs of the local voters.
During the announcement in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Nov 1), former Arau Umno vice-chief Datuk Rozabil Abd Rahman was presented as Barisan's candidate for Arau while Puteri Umno chief Zahida Zarik Khan replaced incumbent Padang Besar MP Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin for the seat.
Also named was Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya to contest in Kangar.
Not a single incumbent Barisan MP in Perlis was listed to defend their seats.
Perlis Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Azlan Man, who is also Mentri Besar, said the names announced last night by Ahmad Zahid, who is Umno president, were deemed suitable candidates with an impressive background and capable of helping Barisan to secure victory in Perlis.
"Based on the party’s past experience, the members had never budged from supporting the party candidates and the differences of opinion that occurred are only temporary.
“Perlis Umno is confident that members at the grassroots, especially in Arau and Padang Besar, will stay loyal to the party though two prominent leaders from the two constituencies were dropped.
"We (Perlis Umno) will get through this phase, it’s just a storm in a small cloud and will not last long,” said Azlan.
