SEREMBAN: Serting assemblyman Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli says he agreed to accept Umno’s decision to field him as Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Jempol parliamentary seat, as this was God’s will.
The Jempol Umno deputy chief said he was certain that all members would eventually support him, although there had been some protests after the incumbent Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Sharif was dropped.
"I am a senior man and have been with the Jempol division since 1985.
"I also know my party members are fiercely loyal to Umno's struggle.
"There have been many situations previously where members had been upset when a new candidate is named but all this will be forgotten after nomination day," he told reporters after receiving his letter of authorisation from Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at Wisma Umno near here.
On Tuesday (Nov 1), some 50 of the 62 Umno branches in Jempol had asked the party leadership to retain Mohd Salim.
Division secretary Zamri Omar said members were unhappy that the leadership had decided not to field Mohd Salim, who had just completed one term as MP.
He said the branches had also threatened to close their operation centres if Mohd Salim, who is also division chief, was not retained.
Shamshulkahar said Mohd Salim was also a loyal party man who has performed exceptionally as an MP.
"I am very confident he will be with me during the campaigning period because he is a party man.
"This is a responsibility given to me and if I win, I will continue with my predecessor's legacy with some tweaks here and there," he said.
Asked if he was confident of winning, Shamshulkahar said he would leave his fate to voters.
In the 2018 polls, Mohd Salim won the seat with a 1,631-vote majority.
He secured 26,819 votes against PKR's Kamarulzaman Kamdias (25,188) and PAS' Mustaffa Daharun (5,267).
There are some 95,700 voters in Jempol with Malays being the majority with 64%, Chinese (22%) and Indians (13%).
Earlier in his speech, Mohamad urged those not picked to contest in GE15 to be magnanimous and to abide by the party's decision.
"This happens, but we must accept it.
"Let us give an opportunity to others who helped us when we were fielded as candidates previously," he added.
