GE15: 'Shahidan's time has passed' – Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR - The decision to replace the incumbent Arau Parliamentary seat Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim with another candidate was made after taking into account the needs of the local voters and Perlis.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made not because Shahidan was not qualified to contest in the area, but because his time 'had passed'.

"He (Shahidan) was more than qualified, but his time had passed," he said when met by reporters in the High Court, here, on Wednesday.

Zahid said this when he was asked about the incumbent of Arau Parliamentary seat's position after he was removed from the list of candidates for the party in the 15th General Election (GE15).

The Umno President had announced Tuesday that a new face which was Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman was nominated as the Arau Parliament candidate in GE15.

Rozabil or also known as 'Tok Ben' was the former Perlis Football Association president and the former Arau Umno Division Youth Chief.

Shahidan was removed from the list of BN candidates, but he confirmed that he would continue to contest under a political platform that would be decided soon.

Other than Shahidan, among those who were removed from the list of candidates were incumbent Ketereh Parliamentary seat Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Adham Baba, National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique and incumbent Pekan seat Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Also removed were Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar), Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ismail Abdul Mutalib (Maran), Deputy Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin) and Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Special Duties) Datuk Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar).

The list of candidates was announced during a ceremony held in the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) attended by thousands of supporters and leadership including Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.

On Wednesday, Perlis Perikatan Nasional (PN) confirmed the vacancy of the Arau Parliamentary seat was to give way for Shahidan to contest representing the alliance in GE15.