KUALA TERENGGANU, 2 Jan 2009: PAS last night named five-term Wakaf Mempelam assemblyperson Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut as its candidate for the 17 Jan Kuala Terengganu by-election.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang made the highly anticipated announcement at a packed Stadium Negeri in Batu Burok, here.
Abdul Wahid, 52, will face Barisan Nasional (BN)’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh in an election that was triggered by the death of former BN Member of Parliament Datuk Razali Ismail on 28 Nov.
Abdul Hadi said choosing the candidate had been difficult, adding: “All those we had in mind were highly capable.”
DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders also attended the ceremony last night.
Hadi told reporters later that Wahid was chosen because of his reputation as the Wakaf Mempelam assemblyperson.
As a state executive councillor in charge of entrepreneur development and youths when PAS ruled Terengganu from 1999 to 2003, Wahid was able to draw voters from all walks of life including youths, he said.
“Our candidate has the experience as a people’s representative, and has never lost in the past five general elections,” he said.
Wahid is also Terengganu PAS treasurer and the party’s Kuala Terengganu chief. He holds a degree in marine science and fisheries from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Wahid said he would raise many issues during the campaign but would not attack his opponent personally.
BN’s candidate, Wan Ahmad Farid, who is also the Deputy Home Minister, when asked to comment on Wahid’s candicacy, said whoever his opponent, it would not change the coalition’s approach in the by-election. — Bernama
