These may very well decide whether BN’s staunch supporters in Kuala Kangsar will still vote for the party in the coming parliamentary by-election on June 18.
Former Wanita Umno Deputy Chief Kamilia Ibrahim said both PAS and Umno have their loyal voters in the constituency, especially in the rural areas.
“It’s not impossible that Umno’s loyalty can break up for a number of reasons.
“For example, the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion issues have angered Umno members, although there are those who don’t show their anger.
“BN’s candidate is also not accepted by all, while bickering is causing internal rifts in Kuala Kangsar Umno,” she told FMT in an interview yesterday.
The former Kuala Kangsar Wanita Umno head said the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion issues could influence voting by the more pro-Opposition non-resident voters on polling day.
Kamilia, a former senator, was sacked from Umno in 2013, after 30 years in the party, after she stood as an independent candidate in Kuala Kangsar during the 13th General Election.
Kamilia welcomed a report that former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was backing Hamidah Osman, the former Gopeng Wanita head, who was also sacked for contesting as an independent. She is expected to stand as an independent.
She rejected suggestions that Mahathir’s opposition to Najib was personal.
“I believe what he is doing is pursuing a struggle. Many have forgotten this struggle. He wants to create a clean, corruption-free nation based on the true principles of nationhood.
“If there is a good team, I too would like to contest. It (opposing Najib) is a good struggle. I have been very long in politics, and the struggle has not ended.”
Another Umno member, Syed Rosli Syed Harman Jamalullail, may also stand as an independent.
Umno, PAS and Pakatan Harapan have already named their candidates for the by-election.
Pakatan Harapan has picked former nuclear scientist and Kuala Kangsar Amanah Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli while PAS is fielding Perak PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad.
BN’s candidate is Mastura Mohd Yazid, who is the widow of the incumbent, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, who died in a helicopter crash together with five others in Sarawak on May 5.