'Democratic move' to contest on another party's ticket, says Pahang BN chief

Maran incumbent Ismail Abd Muttalib has the right to run on any platform he wants after being dropped from representing Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 15th general election (GE15), says Pahang BN chairman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

Describing the decision of the deputy housing and local government minister to contest on a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket as a "democratic move", Wan Rosdy said BN could not prevent seat holders who are not nominated from taking such action.

"It's up to him (Ismail). We can't stop him because he wasn't nominated (to represent BN). 

"If he feels he deserves to defend the seat he once held, we can't do anything because we're a democracy," Wan Rosdy told reporters in Kuala Lipis today.

On Tuesday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the Maran parliamentary seat would be contested by Pahang unity, social welfare, women and family development committee chairman Shahaniza Shamsuddin, replacing Ismail who has been the MP there since 2004.

The announcement that Ismail would contest for PN was made by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang at a ceremony in Marang, Terengganu, last night, even though PN had earlier named Fazil Azmi Nadzri from PAS as a candidate for the seat.

Ismail is also expected to hold a press conference with Pahang PN chairman Saifuddin Abdullah this evening.

GE15 will be held on Nov 19, with tomorrow as candidate nomination day and Nov 15 for early voting.