Haslihelmy doesn't mind being fired by Umno

BENTONG - Businessman, Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli, 36, is determined to run as an Independent candidate in the Pelangai state assembly by-election despite facing the possibility of being fired from Umno.

The president of Pertubuan Suara Anak Pahang said he didnot care if he was fired after being disappointed with the party, which he deemed as having lost its principles.

"I'm not upset if I'm fired and I'm ready to take the risk even though I've been a member for almost 15 years.

"Right now I am receiving many attacks from various parties after deciding to volunteer as an independent candidate," he said when contacted on Thursday.

The Kampung Sum-Sum Umno member added that there have been people taking pictures of him in shorts and he described it as normal for young people like him.

"I already have my own group of supporters, made up of local residents," he said.

In fact, he is optimistic about his chances and is confident that he will not lose his deposit even if he competes on an independent ticket.

Haslihelmy said that he had already attended a briefing by the Election Commission (EC) with Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Kasim Samat at the Bentong and Tanah District Office on Thursday.

"If you ask for a symbol, I want to choose a car, that's the one in the shadow and suitable for me after being offered several other symbols such as airplanes and keys," he said.

Meanwhile, Bentong Division Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh said, Haslihelmy will automatically be stripped of his party membership if he contests in the by-election.

"He is a regular member of the Kampung Sum-Sum branch. So far, he has not consulted with the Bentong division about his decision to contest in Pelangai," he explained.

The Pelangai state assembly by-election was held following the death of its incumbent, the late Datuk Seri Johari Harun on Aug 17.

The late Johari was among 10 individuals who died in a plane crash on the Guthrie Highway near Bandar Elmina, Shah Alam.