Slim Polls: Acting Tg Malim division chief named as Umno's candidate

SLIM POLLS | Perak Umno has announced acting Tanjung Malim division chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz as its candidate for the Slim by-election.

The party's state liaison chairperson Saarani Mohamad announced the election candidate in a media conference in Trolak today.

It confirmed earlier predictions that Mohd Zaidi would be picked from seven shortlisted candidates to represent Umno in the fight to defend the state seat.

Hailing from Slim River, the father of four has a bachelor's degree in Islamic studies from International Islamic University of Malaysia.

He is also the deputy president of the Youth Workers National Federation and the secretary-general of the Asean youth cooperation committee.

The 43-year-old was once the secretary-general for Majlis Belia Malaysia (2010-2014) and coordinator for the Asian Youth Council (2005-2015).

Meanwhile, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new party Pejuang is set to announce their candidate later tonight at 8.30pm.

Mohd Zaidi Aziz

The former Bersatu chairperson is also expected to divulge more details at the media conference regarding the party and clarify which logo and name they will use for the Slim campaign. 

The by-election was called following the demise of incumbent Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib on July 15, from a cardiac arrest.

It will be held on Aug 29, with nominations on Aug 15.

During the 14th general election in 2018, Mohd Khusairi won the seat by defeating Bersatu's Mohd Amran Ibrahim and PAS' Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal by a majority of 2,183 votes.

Slim has 23,094 registered voters, comprising mostly Malays by 75 percent, followed by Indians (13 percent), Chinese (10 percent), and others (two percent).

Many people, including analysts, predict an easy win for Umno due to the seat being one of the party's strongholds for the past four terms under Mohd Khusairi.

Perak opposition leader Abdul Aziz Bari had also stressed that the opposition would face an uphill battle on their hands.

"The locals, especially the Malays, only see and understand local issues.

"They may well have no idea of other standards or level of development and not realise how Umno has failed to achieve much despite being in power for over 60 years," Abdul Aziz told Malaysiakini.

The Slim by-election is the second after Chini to take place under the recovery movement control order, as well as since Perikatan Nasional came to power in February.

It's also the 12th by-election since the 2018 general election.

- Mkini