KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need for PAS’ Kemaman candidate Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to step down as Terengganu menteri besar to contest in the by-election as it is nothing out of the ordinary, said party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Hadi, who is Marang MP, added that several heads of state governments in the past were also federal lawmakers, including himself.
“How many menteris besar have become parliamentarians? (We have) Selangor, Penang – I was once a menteri besar too.
“It is normal and not wrong in Malaysian politics. We are democratic.
“There is no need (for Samsuri to step down). A political change will happen, God willing,” he told a press conference after the nomination day at the Kemaman Municipal Council today.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said challenged Samsuri to resign as Terengganu menteri besar to focus on the by-election on December 2.
She said contesting for the seat without being menteri besar would mean that he was unafraid, adding that falling back on his role meant he was not sincere.
The Pengerang MP also said Barisan Nasional (BN) fielded the best candidate to serve the Kemaman constituents.
Samsuri will be competing against former army general Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, who is running on a BN ticket. – November 18, 2023