GUA MUSANG: Former Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim has confirmed that he will not be contesting in the by-election for the state seat in August.
Speaking at his home here today, Azizi said he made the decision only recently.
"Before this, l planned to contest in the state seat in the Aug 17 by-election but after thinking that l must have a logo of a political party when contesting, l decided not to do so.
"Nowadays, people are not confident voting for an independent candidate and therefore, l did not see my future in contesting as an independent candidate.
"I do not mind 'giving' the seat to Barisan Nasional/Umno or any other party to contest," he added.
Azizi, who is also Gua Musang member of parliament, said he might make a similar move if there was a by-election in the parliamentary constituency.
Azizi expressed his disappointment with the Bersatu leadership for sacking him as a party member.
"They have betrayed me as there was no evidence which showed that l hopped parties.
"In every letter that l have sent to Bersatu, all l have mentioned was my loyalty to the party," he added.
In November last year, Azizi declared his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.
He is among the seven Bersatu elected representatives whose memberships have been revoked by the party for declaring their support for Anwar and the unity government.
Following this, Kelantan Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah on June 19 declared the Nenggiri state seat vacant, in accordance with the state's constitution.
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday had fixed Aug 17 for the Nenggiri by-election.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the nomination of candidates for the state seat by-election would be held on Aug 3, while early voting is set for Aug 13.
During the Kelantan state election in August last year, PN, through Azizi wrested the seat from BN after he obtained a majority of 810 votes.
Azizi polled 6,517 votes to defeat Ab Aziz Yusoff of BN, who received, 5,707 votes, in a straight fight at the state seat.