Seremban MP won’t defend seat

DAP is likely to field at least four new faces in Negeri Sembilan to replace its incumbents who are opting out for personal reasons.

SEREMBAN: Seremban MP, John Fernandez, will not be defending his parliamentary seat in coming 13th general election (GE).

His announcement today ends weeks of speculation among Pakatan Rakyat supporters here on whether or not he will be dropped.

The 72-year-old lawyer-cum-politician said he needed a rest and wanted to spend time with his family.

“Apart from being an MP, I am also a lawyer and have to do both jobs at the same time.

“This means I have limited time to spend with people (rakyat) and family.

“Taking all this consideration, I have decided to pave the way for a much younger candidate in Seremban for the coming 13th general election,” Fernandez told FMT today.

Fernandez said that although he was no longer in the run, he will continue to help DAP and Pakatan Rakyat in whatever capacity he can to help the coalition form the next federal government.

John said DAP youth chief, Teo Kok Seong will stand in Seremban for the coming GE.

But he added that the final decision rests with the DAP leadership, who will be announcing the line up very soon.

Teo Kok Seong is a one term state assemblymen for Bahau.

Apart from Fernandez, DAP’s Rahang assemblymen MK Arumugam has also decided not to stand for the election due to illness.

Mambau assemblywomen, Wong May May has also decided to quit politics citing family commitments.

As such DAP is likely to field at least four new faces in Negeri Sembilan to replace Fernandez, Arumugam, Wong and Teo (who will be shifted to Seremban parliamentary seat).

Umno women join PAS
In another development, 36 Negeri Sembilan Umno members quit their party to join PAS last Sunday.

The members were from Ayer Hitam branch in the Jelebu parliament constituency.

Jelebu PAS deputy chief, Nor Anif Selamat said majority of them were Wanita Umno members. He said this augured well for PAS and Pakatan Rakyat in Jelebu.

PAS will field candidates for Jelebu parliamentary, Klawang and Sungai Lui state seats.

Umno has however denied the exit of its members

Said former Umno Sungai Lui assemblyman Zainal Abidin Hassan: “It is not true.

“I challenge PAS to proof by providing the Umno membership name and number of the said Wanita Umno members.

“We want the people to judge if they are really Umno members or not.”