KUALA KRAI, 6 Jan 2009: Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) candidate Harun Abdul Rahman Mohd, who withdrew at the last minute from contesting in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, faces disciplinary action from the party.
Akim president Hanafi Hamat said besides withdrawing from the by-election, Harun had also betrayed the party by openly declaring his support for the PAS candidate.
Akim president Hanafi Hamat “Harun has disappointed the party with his actions,” he told Bernama here today.
This morning, Harun who was at the nomination centre, the State Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, shocked everyone, especially Akim members and supporters, when he announced his withdrawal from the by-election without giving any specific reason.
He also stated his support for the PAS candidate in the by-election, Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut.
The 17 Jan by-election will see a three-corner fight involving candidates from the Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Rakyat, and an independent.
BN will be represented by Umno’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and Pakatan Rakyat by PAS’s Abdul Wahid, while the independent candidate is Azharudin Mamat @ Adam.
Hanafi said although Harun’s candidature did not receive his side’s blessing as it was announced by another group in the party, it did not mean that he could do what he had.
“We did not name a second candidate as we wanted to avoid a rift in the party and decided that Harun be given a chance to contest in the by-election, but his last-minute withdrawal is highly unacceptable,” he said.
In light of what has happened, the Akim supreme council will convene an emergency meeting to discuss action to be taken against Harun.
Hanafi appealed to Akim supporters to remain calm and allow the party to resolve the issue.
Isma Airfath Hassanuddin, or better known as Kosing from Rantau Panjang, who had also offered to contest as an independent, could not be reached about why he did not contest. – Bernama
