KOTA BARU: Perikatan Nasional leaders had taken a close look at a long list of possible candidates for the Nenggiri by-election before deciding to pick Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.
PN director of operations for the by-election, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said this was done so that voters in the state constituency would not be deceived, as they had been before.
He claimed the voters were deceived by their previous representative, who was voted in on a Pas-Bersatu ticket but later declared his support for the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Annuar said when Barisan Nasional first announced a candidate who was the Gua Musang Umno division Youth chief, who is known by the residents as a contractor and businessman, PN needed to present a better candidate who is accepted by the community to be their representative.
"A long list was reviewed and narrowed down by PN from among the local residents and voters to be chosen as the candidate. The list was examined across party members because the most important factor this time is a better personality.
"Here, PN leads and exhibits once more sound political judgment and planning to guarantee impartiality to voters, regardless of their political party. In the end, it is a delightful surprise when a youthful yet responsible person is selected.
"Ustaz Wadi has never engaged in lobbying. He has also never engaged in business or personal projects; instead, he has over 10 years of experience serving the country as a soldier, having undergone military training and discipline, and is active in the field of preaching and religious work," he said.
Annuar was responding to criticism that Rizwadi had only become a Bersatu member two days prior to being announced as the candidate. Before that, he was a Pas member.
He said Rizwadi is an excellent speaker and would be able to voice concerns at the state assembly.
Annuar added that he was respected and well-known by local residents, in addition to always being present in the Nenggiri community.
This, he said, was crucial in the struggle to represent the voices of the Nenggiri constituency.
"Alhamdulillah, now Nenggiri has Ustaz Wadi who, if given the mandate, will speak out and fight to restore the dignity of the people of Nenggiri," he said.