Nenggiri candidates keep friendship intact despite election rivalry

GUA MUSANG - In the midst of the Nenggiri by-election, Pas candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani demonstrated their lasting friendship by casting their votes together at the same polling station.

Despite the competitive nature of an election, Rizwadi and Azmawi or better known as Awie showed their strong personal bond as they voted side by side this morning.

Both candidates, who hailed from the same village, were seen fulfilling their voting duties at the Tabika Sri Bakawali polling centre in Kampung Bertam Lama, here.

Speaking with reporters just outside the polling station centre, Rizwadi said his relationship with Azmawi remained intact.

“We are friends; our houses are close and we remain friends.

“There is no issue between us,” Rizwadi said.

He also said he finally got the chance to meet Azmawi for the first time since both of them had start their election campaigns respectively for 14 days.

Accompanied by his wife, Che Mariam Che Noh, Rizwadi said he took the opportunity to encourage voters to participate actively in the election.

“Keep your anger in check for now and prioritise the interests of the community; voting is our way to express our feelings.

“Voting is a responsibility,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azmawi echoed these sentiments, highlighting the continued goodwill between the two.

“Our relationship remains good,” he affirmed.

The Nenggiri by-election is scheduled to take place today, following the declaration of the seat's vacancy by Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19.

This came after former assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, ceased to be a Bersatu member on June 13.

In last year's state election, Azizi, running on a Pas ticket, won the seat with a majority of 810 votes over BN's Ab Aziz Yusoff.

The constituency has 20,259 registered voters.