SIMPANG RENGGAM: The legacy and political struggles of Umno founder and former president, Datuk Onn Jaafar is alive and well, thanks to his great grandson, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi
Onn Hafiz, 40, is Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for the Layang-Layang state seat in the 14th General Election.
The newcomer is also the nephew of Defence Minister and Umno vice-president, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, which means that he is also the grandson of Malaysia’s third prime minister, Tun Hussein Onn.
Onn Hafiz said he will do his best to serve the people.
“I hope to do my level best to serve the people, as did the late Datuk Onn, the late Tun Hussein, and Datuk Hishammuddin.
“I hope to continue their legacy in serving the people,” he said when met after the nomination of candidates at the Simpang Renggam Municipal Council hall, here on Saturday.
Onn Hafiz faces two contenders - Mohd Jubri Selamat from Pas and PKR’s M S Murugan - in his bid to retain the seat for BN. The seat was previously won by BN’s Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim, who secured a 2,518-vote majority in GE13.
Onn Hafiz believed that BN’s presence remains solid in the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency.
“In terms of pressure, I see BN as being stable and solid in Simpang Renggam, and its past incumbents have a great track record.
“Based on this track record and by working hard, we hope to ensure BN’s victory in both the parliament and state seats. I also hope that BN and the opposition candidates will enjoy a healthy competition throughout the campaign period. Even though we are rivals, there should be mutual respect in order to preserve harmony,” he said.
Meanwhile, apart from the Layang-Layang seat, Pas’ Mohd Jubri is also contesting the Simpang Renggam parliamentary seat, putting him in the path of the two-term incumbent, BN’s Datuk Liang Teck Meng, who is Gerakan secretary-general.
Also in contention for the parliamentary seat is Maszlee Malik from PKR.
Another seat under the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency, the Machap state seat, sees a three-way battle between its incumbent, Abd Taib Abu Bakar from BN face Azlisham Azhar (Pas) and Ahmad Ahem (PKR).