Shahidan to defend Arau seat anyway after dropped by BN

Arau incumbent Shahidan Kassim has vowed to defend his seat at the 15th general election (GE15) despite being dropped as a candidate by Barisan Nasional (BN).

Speaking to reporters last night, he said he would choose a party that moved "towards the direction of Muafakat Nasional". 

"I am a candidate who can win, I will contest," he said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia. 

"I will ask the branches first which ticket I should contest on. There have been no discussions as of yet, but they have been informed of what happened to me."

Shahidan, a four-term MP for Arau, defended his seat at the previous general election with a majority of 4,856, defeating Abd Rahman Daud of PKR and Hashim Jasin from PAS. 

However, he was dropped from BN's line-up at the coalition's announcement of candidates last night, and replaced by Rozabil Abd Rahman.

Shahidan is one of a number of Umno leaders vocal against their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who were dropped as candidates for the Nov 19 polls. 

Others include Annuar Musa, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Halimah Sadique and Mastura Mohd Yazid – all ministers and deputy ministers in Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's government. 

Speaking last night, he said this was an act of "political discord" that should not have happened. 

"He (Zahid) should step down as president as he is causing divisions among the ummah."