Popular Islamic preacher not campaigning for any party

IPOH: Popular Islamic preacher Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias says he will not be doing any campaigning, not even for his brother, in this general election.

He will be willing to give religious talks to “anyone, anywhere”, but not on politics.

His brother, Perikatan Nasional candidate Capt (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Najmuddin Elias, will contest in the Batu Kurau state seat which comes under the Larut constituency.

“I will not represent any political party. If anyone wants to invite me, there should not be any party flags, candidates should not be campaigning, and I will not be siding and campaigning for them either,” he said at his Al-Barakah Education Centre in Manjoi here yesterday.

He made the surprise move to withdraw his candidacy less than 24 hours after Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi named him as the Barisan candidate for Larut. He was replaced by petroleum engineer Mohd Shafiq Fhadly Mahmud.

Mohammad Kazim said he decided to withdraw as he doesn’t want to contest against his relatives within the same constituency.

He said that neither he nor his brother knew that they had been signed up as candidates.

“When my name was announced as candidate, I was told my brother will contest as well in Batu Kurau.

“So, I decided to give way to him,” he added.

Mohammad Kazim said he had made it clear to Ahmad Zahid of his personal principle to not contest in any constituency where family members are contesting as well.

“I am not an Umno member, but I was offered to contest in Larut under the Barisan ticket due to my knowledge and experience as a preacher.

“The Umno president told me it’s okay that I am not a member, as the party wants people of various professions and religious backgrounds to contribute their experience, and so I was chosen,” he added.

Mohammad Kazim revealed that he was a PAS member from 1997 until he quit in 2014.

“I’m happy being an independent preacher,” he said.