Kemaman by-election: Former Armed Forces chief named as BN candidate

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Armed Forces Chief Jen (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor has been picked by Barisan Nasional as its candidate for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election.

Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made with the agreement of top coalition and Terengganu Umno leaders.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, Barisan deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said were also present at the candidate announcement on Monday (Nov 13).

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Jen (R) Raja Mohamed Affandi, who was born in Besut, Terengganu, joined the Malay Royal Regiment on May 11, 1977.

He has held various posts throughout his career, including army field command chief, chief of staff for the Armed Forces headquarters, and army chief.

The Kemaman by-election was called following the Terengganu Election Court's ruling on Sept 26 nullifying Che Alias Hamid's GE15 victory.

ALSO READ: Kemaman by-election: EC sets Dec 2 as polling day, nominations on Nov 18

The petitioner had successfully proven the existence of elements of corruption during the campaign period.

The Election Commission (EC) has set polling day for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Dec 2, nomination day on Nov 18, and early voting on Nov 28.

In GE15, Perikatan Nasional's Che Alias won the seat with a majority of 27,179 votes after obtaining 65,714 votes to defeat Barisan's Datuk Seri Ahmad Said (who obtained 38,535 votes), Pakatan Harapan's Hasuni Sudin (8,340 votes) and Pejuang's Rosli Ab. Ghani (506 votes).