KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, dropped as a candidate from Barisan Nasional (BN) for the Pasir Salak parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15), appears to have declared his loyalty to BN and Umno.
With speculation rife over his next move following former Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kasim's move to contest under a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket, Tajuddin appeared to be content with BN's decision.
"Esok masih ada, saya kekal setia bersama Umno (There's still tomorrow, I remain loyal to Umno)," he wrote briefly on his Instagram account today.
Observers, however, had questioned if his message truly was a declaration of loyalty. Some social media users had interpreted his use of "tomorrow" as meaning that he could be announcing a surprise move, one day before the GE15 nomination day on Saturday.
BN had previously named Umno Youth vice-chief, Khairul Azwan Harun, who is also Pasir Salak Umno division deputy chief, as its candidate for the seat.
Tajuddin, who is also former agriculture and agro-based industry minister, was a three-term MP for Pasir Salak, having served since 2008.
He was dropped from the Umno supreme council in June.
BN had also dropped a number of big names as candidates for GE15, including Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa as well as caretaker Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
Other major names included caretaker National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Halimah Saddique, caretaker Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, as well as Shahidan.