Dzulkefly ready to change mind if Umno fields ‘heavyweight’

PETALING JAYA, 1 Jun – Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad says he has no intention of contesting the next general election (GE15) as he wants to give younger Amanah leaders a chance.

However, the two-term MP and former health minister said he will consider throwing his hat in the ring if Umno nominates a “heavyweight” such as finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz for the seat.

“I’ve said this before, if the party’s top leadership wants me to contest for any reason – such as if a federal minister like Tengku Zafrul or others contest – I will consider competing in GE15,” he told FMT.

“But, personally, I don’t want to contest again.

“If he (Tengku Zafrul) doesn’t contest, I will give way to a younger leader.”

Tengku Zafrul is rumoured to be eyeing a seat in GE15, with talk that he will contest the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat on an Umno ticket.

He previously uploaded several pictures of programmes he attended in Kuala Selangor, including watching the FA Cup final in Puncak Alam.

He was also spotted alongside entrepreneurial development and cooperatives minister Noh Omar at a dinner with NGOs in Kuala Selangor.

Dzulkefly said his intention not to compete in GE15 was one that he had thought long and hard about. He said he had informed his party of this well in advance.

“I’m ready to give way to the young leaders in Amanah. This is the only way we will be able to get them involved in the next election,” he said.

“This is not a decision I reached overnight.”