Sungai Besar Umno paves way for Khir comeback

Sungai Besar Umno paves way for Khir comeback

The former Selangor menteri besar is said to be eyeing a seat in GE15, seven years after his conviction on a corruption charge.

Khir Toyo is among 40 potential election candidates nominated by the Sungai Besar Umno division in Selangor. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Sungai Besar Umno is backing Khir Toyo as one of its candidates for the coming general election (GE15), months after the former Selangor menteri besar was said to be eyeing the constituency for his political comeback.

The division’s chief, Jamal Yunos, said Khir was among the 40 names submitted to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) top leadership.

However, he refused to confirm if Khir was being nominated for the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat or one of the two state seats within the constituency – Sungai Panjang and Sekinchan.

“My division submitted the most names as potential candidates for the state and parliamentary seats,” he told FMT.

“I am open to anyone wishing to stand. They just need to be mentally and physically fit as well as financially stable.

“This included Khir Toyo. Everyone is eligible.”

In May, it was reported that Khir was planning a political comeback in GE15, seven years after he was convicted of a corruption charge.

The three-term Sungai Panjang assemblyman was sentenced to 12 months’ jail in 2015 for abuse of power when he was the Selangor menteri besar. He was charged with having used his position to buy two plots of land and a bungalow worth RM3.5 million in 2007.

He served six months of his sentence at the Kajang prison after which he was released on parole.

On a related matter, Jamal, who is the BN Selangor communications chief, said the coalition will adopt several approaches to woo young voters, including fielding candidates below the age of 25.

“I can confirm that two to three candidates will be of this age,” he said.

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