Malaysian United Democratic Alliance president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will be defending his Muar parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election.
His deputy, Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, announced his candidacy for the seat in a hotel in Johor yesterday.
He will be going up against Barisan Nasional’s Helmy Abd Latif and Perikatan Nasional’s Abdullah Husin.
On Friday, Syed Saddiq, a former youth and sports minister, had been ordered to enter his defence for four charges in a criminal trial involving more than RM1 million linked to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth wing Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada).
Detractors had urged him, alongside others facing corruption charges, not to contest in GE15 until they were cleared in a court of law.
This would be Syed Saddiq’s second election, though his first under Muda, as well as the party’s maiden foray into a general election.
Syed Saddiq won the seat in GE14 with a majority of 6,953 votes.
Earlier, on Facebook, Syed Saddiq expressed his gratitude to Muar Muda chief of staff Afiqah Zulkifli.
He said that it would be a lie if he said he did all the work in Muar alone, adding that he was indebted to her.
Syed Saddiq said that Afiqah had been his in team since his maiden campaign in 2018.
“Like me, she has served in Muar for four years as well. She was my representative in Muar when I was in Parliament.
“If it wasn’t for her, I might not have enough helping hands and feet on the ground in Muar.
“She is a person who is truly dedicated to serving the people.”
Syed Saddiq said Afiqah was the first on the ground during the Muar floods.
“She is the person to help fishermen, to send money and school supplies to poor families.”
Syed Saddiq said due to this people in Muar also knew her well and contacted her if they could not reach him.
On Saturday night, Muda announced the first three parliamentary seats that it would contest in GE15.
Siti Rahayu Baharin is set to contest in Tanjung Karang and Shahrizal Denci will be stand in Kota Marudu.
Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet will contest in Tanjung Piai, Johor, against MCA’s Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng who is the immediate past MP.
Muhammad Danial Abdul Majeed will be fielded in Kepala Batas against immediate past MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. – NST