UMNO 'TALENT'? Isa Samad offers himself for GE13

JEMPOL-Negri Sembilan Barisan Nasional (BN) Information chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad expressed his willingness to contest in Jempol parliamentary seat, should he be chosen again.

Responding to rumours that he might be fielded for the seat, he said he had no clue on which seat he would be contesting as he would wait for the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Monday.

"If my name is on the list, it could be either the Jempol parliamentary seat or as the Menteri Besar for the next term should Barisan Nasional wins, I have no objections or problems with that.

"I am ready for any possibility or decision. In fact, I do have clean records and have never sabotaged the party.

"Whatever it is, we just need to wait for prime minister's announcement on Monday," he said.

Words on the ground were that Isa had been identified as a BN candidate for Jempol parliamentary seat, which was held by Datuk Lilah Yassin (BN).

If it turned out to be true, Isa would be contesting against the 80s singer Aishah, whose candidacy for the seat was confirmed by Pas in a ceremony in Batu Kikir last Wednesday.

Isa said despite his readiness, being a candidate or not was never an issue.

"I have contested many times. Being fielded or not should not be a problem as it is a fate one should accept with open arms.

"There are other people who wanted to be candidates too. In Umno for instance, we have many qualified candidates to contest. Those who have contested a few times should give way for these new faces," he said.

Isa was speaking to reporters after the launch of transmission of 1.8MW electricity to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) national grid from Serting Hilir Palm Oil mill here today.

The mill, owned by Felda Palm Industries Sdn Bhd had invested RM10 million in building infrastructure for the biogas plant, which produces biogas of 400 to 600 cubic metres per hour.

TNB will distribute the biogas renewable energy to areas in Negri Sembilan.

Asked on the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) manifesto in restructuring all ownership in Felda Global Ventures (FGV) with the aim of returning operation and ownership of Felda land to the settlers and staff, Isa, who is Felda chairman said the move has a political motive.

"To be global, Felda has to go for listing. Being Sdn Bhd will create problems as this will affect investors' trust.

"Instead of looking at the country's economical gain, the opposition is totally looking at political gain to garner votes from the people," he said.

He also advised Felda Sahabat settlers in Lahad Datu to go out to vote during polling day.

"Don't be afraid to go out and exercise your duty as our security forces will ensure the safety of the people and the people on duty during the day," he said.

He said there are about 35,000 voters in Felda Sahabat.

- New Straits Times