PETALING JAYA: Gerak Independent co-founder Tawfik Ismail will be contesting for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, despite attempts to contest under Pakatan Harapan’s banner.
The son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, expressed disappointment over PH’s decision to field Shamsul Iskandar Akin from PKR as its candidate for Bagan Datuk.
“In order to avoid a split in votes and to ensure the defeat of (Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, I had reached out to PH leaders to allow me to contest under the PH banner.
“However, this proved futile as I failed to elicit any response from PH’s top leadership,” Tawfik said in a statement today.
He said his sole purpose in running for the Bagan Datuk seat was to defeat Zahid, whom he described as “the embodiment of corruption”.
“He represents the scourge of Malaysia, especially the way corruption has eaten away the dignity of our rakyat. I cannot stand by and let that happen,” he said.
Zahid will be seeking to defend his seat for a seventh term, having been the Bagan Datuk MP since 1995. So far, he is set to be challenged by Tawifk, Shamsul and Bersatu Supreme Council member Faiz Na’aman.
Tawfik said he was offering Bagan Datuk voters the choice between a clean MP or one who was tainted by corruption and had been slapped with 47 charges of corruption.
“I humbly seek the support of the constituents of Bagan Datuk. I hope they will give me an opportunity to serve them as an MP,” he said.
Previously, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang had urged PH to allow Tawfik to contest under the coalition’s banner against Zahid.
The DAP stalwart said it would be an opportunity to highlight PH’s fight against corruption and ensure that those charged in court would continue to face justice. - FMT
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