KANGAR - The BN Arau Parliamentary seat candidate for the 15th General Election (GE15) Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman explains that he is not an outsider or a 'parachute' candidate.
Rozabil said there was no reason for any party to label him as an outsider because this was not the first time he was involved with politics in Perlis.
"I have held a position in Perlis Umno and the Arau Umno Division Communications Body for over 10 years.
"In fact, I have joined Arau Umno Division in 2006 and held the Arau Umno Division Youth Chief position and the Deputy Arau Division Chief.
"It's just recently that I have been outside managing my business, I am just like others who needs to work.
"But after the party finalised the decision for me to contest in Arau, as a party member I accept this responsibility and trust with an open hand and heart because I am not an outsider, I am an Arau Umno Division member," he stated.
Rozabil said he was confused on why the definition of an outsider was constantly brought up.
"It wasn't just yesterday that I was active as an Arau Umno Division member and while I held the position previously, there was no issue of being an outsider.
"Arau has always been a part of me,” he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Wednesday.
Rozabil said the main focus now was to ensure that the BN election machinery in the Arau Parliament continued to move and run smoothly.
He said it was important to meet with as many voters and locals to explain the BN manifesto to enable them to evaluate what was offered.
"I took the attitude of not wanting to talk or have any confrontation with any candidate because that is not the main issue instead, what was important in this duration was to meet and explain the BN manifesto to the public," he said.
In the upcoming GE15, the former Perlis Football Association (PFA) President was expected to face his former chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim for the Arau Parliamentary seat.
Rozabil would also face competition from Pakatan Harapan (PH) Fathin Amelina Fazlie from PKR.