The Kedah chapter of PAS will send a seafood entrepreneur to contest the Langkawi federal seat as Gagasan Sejahtera ally Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) has pulled out from the race.
During a press conference today, PAS state commissioner Ahmad Fakhruddin Sheikh Fakhrurrazi told reporters that according to Ikatan president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, his party was not ready to contest the seat.
Ahmad Fakhruddin then unveiled seafood entrepreneur Zubir Ahmad as the pact’s candidate to challenge Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Datuk Nawawi Ahmad and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (PPBM) in a three-cornered fight.
The 55-year-old Zubir contested here in the 2004 general election without success.
In 2008 and 2013, he contested in the Ayer Hangat state seat, also without success.
When asked about his feelings on going up against the likes of Dr Mahathir, the local boy said his past experiences, coupled with a “very efficient PAS machinery”, will give him the edge.
“Our election machinery is ready. Honestly, I think the candidate only contributes around 5 to 10 per cent when achieving victory. That’s the reality of it. If you look at race cars, even if you are the best driver but you have a weak vehicle, you will still lose the race.
“Compared (to BN and PPBM) right now, we have the better machinery in Langkawi and Kedah. Especially if you look at the split between Umno and PPBM,” said the PAS Langkawi division chief.
Separately, PAS also dropped Mohd Ismail as the Jerai candidate, replacing him with the constituency’s deputy division chief Sabri Azit, who is also a secondary school teacher.
Ahmad Fakhruddin said Mohd was replaced due to some “legal technicalities” but did not elaborate.-Mmail
